European Leagues, FIFPRO and LALIGA argue that FIFA has violated European competition law in terms of the international fixture calendar. In June, the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) took legal action against FIFA because it believed that the fixture calendar was “overloaded and unworkable.” The French players’ union also took legal action alongside the PFA through the Brussels court of commerce. They wanted to call into question the “legality of FIFA’s decisions to unilaterally set the international match calendar and, in particular, the decision to create and schedule the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.”
The PFA believes that the Club World Cup is a “tipping point for the football calendar and the ability of players to be able to take meaningful breaks between seasons.” FIFPRO argues that "FIFA’s decisions over the last years have repeatedly favoured its own competitions and commercial interests, neglected its responsibilities as a governing body, and harmed the economic interests of national leagues and the welfare of players.”
The PFA is concerned as “the 2024-25 season is set to roll almost seamlessly into the 2025-26 season.” European club competitions have been expanded to 36 teams. Previously, the Champions League and Europa League had six first-phase games, but this has been increased to eight. Furthermore, the Premier League will finish on 25 May, and the Champions League final is on 31 May, amplifying concern. There are also international games set shortly before the beginning of FIFA’s extended Club World Cup. The next World Cup is then set for the summer of 2026, which also poses an issue.
According to Manchester City player, Rodri, players will soon strike in opposition to the “overloaded” schedule. FIFPRO reported that Rodri played 72 matches last season, and he had to come off injured during the final of Euro 2024.
FIFA, however, insists that it consulted FIFPRO and the World League Association about the updated fixture calendar, and it will continue to implement its changes. FIFA claims it is "fully within [its] rights to set the parameters of [its] competitions whilst respecting the regulatory framework in place.”
Aleksander Čeferin, UEFA president, argues that complaints about the “overloaded” calendar are from a minority of players: “In fairness to those who are stretched, I stand by what I said two months ago, there is no room for additional matches. But I have to add this, who is complaining? The ones who have the highest salaries and the ones [clubs] with 25 top players. "The ones with lower salaries and hardly 11 players are not complaining. They love to play."
FIFPRO expects the European Commission to start a preliminary investigation. It could, however, take 12 months before the Commission decides whether it wants to start a formal investigation.
