Fifa accused of ‘turning a blind eye to basic needs of players' as global union likens Gianni Infantino to an ‘emperor'

Irish Independent

25-07-2025

Fifpro, which represents players' interests at the global level, said Fifa had adopted an 'autocratic' approach to governing the sport under Infantino.
'Fifa continues to systematically ignore and silence the real issues players face in different parts of the world,' Fifpro said in a statement following a meeting of 58 player unions in Amsterdam on Friday.
'It is unacceptable for an organisation that claims global leadership to turn a blind eye to the basic needs of the players.
'One clear example of this disconnect was the recent Club World Cup, celebrated by President Infantino despite being held under conditions that were extreme and inappropriate for any human being, demonstrating a troubling insensitivity to human rights, even when it concerns elite athletes.
'The overloaded match calendar, the lack of adequate physical and mental recovery periods, extreme playing conditions, the absence of meaningful dialogue, and the ongoing disregard for players' social rights have regrettably become pillars of Fifa's business model; this is a model that puts the health of players at risk and sidelines those at the heart of the game.
'We will continue to speak out against abuse and demand fair, dignified, and sustainable conditions for all players. Football needs responsible leadership, not emperors. It needs fewer autocratic monologues and more genuine, inclusive, and transparent dialogue.'
Fifpro expressed deep concern earlier this month that Fifa announced a raft of measures designed to boost player welfare following a meeting on the eve of the Club World Cup final which took place without any involvement from Fifpro.
Fifpro Europe is part of a legal complaint to the European Commission, also involving domestic leagues, filed last autumn over what it considers to be a lack of consultation from Fifa around the international match calendar.
The unions and leagues accuse Fifa of abusing a dominant position in the market to negatively impact player welfare and domestic competitions.
Fifa replied: 'Fifa is extremely disappointed by the increasingly divisive and contradictory tone adopted by Fifpro leadership as this approach clearly shows that rather than engaging in constructive dialogue, Fifpro has chosen to pursue a path of public confrontation driven by artificial PR battles – which have nothing to do with protecting the welfare of professional players but rather aim to preserve their own personal positions and interests.
'The game deserves unity, not division. Players deserve action, not rhetoric.
'Fifa will move forward together with players and those who really want the best for football. It is up to Fifpro to answer this call.'