FIFPro and European Leagues File Complaint Against FIFA Over 2025 Club World Cup
The players' union FIFPro, alongside several top European leagues, has filed an official complaint against FIFA over the 2025 Club World Cup.
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At the heart of the dispute is the congested match calendar for the 2024/25 season. With the introduction of new formats in European competitions and the expanded Club World Cup, many players face the prospect of having virtually no time off during the summer of 2025.
As reported by Football Italia, FIFPro and 39 European leagues—including Serie A, the Premier League, and La Liga—submitted their complaint to the European Commission, accusing FIFA of overburdening the football calendar.
"FIFA and UEFA keep expanding their competitions, both for clubs and national teams, and we've now reached a tipping point in terms of match congestion," said Luigi De Siervo, CEO of Serie A. "The issue of player burnout isn't being caused by domestic competitions but by the increasing demands of FIFA and UEFA."
De Siervo also emphasized the difference in the governing bodies' approach: "While UEFA conducted thorough consultations with all stakeholders, FIFA imposed its new Club World Cup format without any prior discussions, consultations, or agreements with other competition organizers."
It should be noted that the new Club World Cup is scheduled to take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025. With the season already packed, many fear this will further intensify the strain on players and disrupt their recovery periods.