Players on the Brink of Strike Amid Discontent with FIFA's New Club World Cup

Posted : 14 October 2024

Players are increasingly on the verge of striking due to mounting dissatisfaction with soccer's governing bodies, particularly FIFA and its newly revamped Club World Cup, which has drawn comparisons to a "Super League." David Terrier, the head of FIFPRO Europe, expressed these sentiments during an interview with Reuters. FIFPRO Europe, along with the European Leagues association and LaLiga, has formally accused FIFA of "abuse" in a joint complaint filed with EU antitrust regulators regarding FIFA's international match schedule.

Terrier emphasized the necessity of "social dialogue" among stakeholders in the sport to avoid reaching a strike situation. He acknowledged the allure of a strike for union leaders, stating, "Obviously as a union leader I should be dreaming of a strike because it gives you more power," but expressed his strong commitment to dialogue. He warned that escalating tensions could lead to a serious failure in negotiations, urging the European Union to remind governing bodies of the importance of communication.

In a joint press conference, representatives from FIFPRO Europe, European Leagues, and LaLiga criticized FIFA's congested match calendar, showcasing video testimonials from players, including France's Kylian Mbappe, who voiced their concerns about the overwhelming number of matches.

Manchester City's Rodri hinted at the possibility of a strike back in September, although a sports law expert deemed such an action in the Premier League improbable. Terrier noted that player support for a strike is growing, particularly in light of the Club World Cup, scheduled to take place in the U.S. from June 15 to July 13, 2025, featuring 32 clubs.

Terrier likened the Club World Cup's structure to the controversial European Super League proposed in 2021, which aimed to create a breakaway league involving 12 elite clubs. That initiative collapsed under immense pressure from fans, politicians, and soccer officials, including members of the British royal family. He criticized the Club World Cup as a deceptive method to establish a Super League, urging FIFA to prioritize the needs of national teams over club interests.

As of now, FIFA has not disclosed how it plans to finance the Club World Cup, having previously announced an expansion of the tournament to 24 clubs starting in 2021, a plan derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the rescheduling of Euro 2020.

Players on the Brink of Strike Amid Discontent with FIFA's New Club World Cup

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