FIFPRO and PFA File Legal Claim in Belgian Courts Against FIFA Over Congested 2025 Club World Cup

Jun 13, 2024, 08:20 AM

FIFPRO and other European football unions, including the Professional Footballers Association (PFA), have filed a legal claim against FIFA in Belgium. The lawsuit challenges FIFA's unilateral decisions regarding the International Match Calendar and the creation and scheduling of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. The unions argue that the current calendar structure is broken and fails to protect players' rights to take necessary breaks. The case, handled by Bosman lawyer Jean-Louis Dupont, seeks to refer the matter to the European Court of Justice. The legal action underscores concerns about player burnout due to an increasingly congested calendar and FIFA's monopoly control over match scheduling. Chelsea and Manchester City have already qualified for the 2025 tournament.