Football players' union hits back at 'autocratic' FIFA, Infantino in fallout from CWC - World
'Football needs responsible leadership, not emperors,' the FIFPRO network said after a meeting of 58 national player unions responded to FIFA pursuing its agenda with unofficial player representatives.
'It needs fewer autocratic monologues and more genuine, inclusive and transparent dialogue,' the union added.
FIFA announced two weeks ago it reached a consensus on key issues after Infantino hosted a group of mostly non-recognized officials in New York ahead of the Club World Cup final.
The latest rift between football's governing body and its players' unions flared while the European Commission in Brussels is considering a formal complaint against FIFA. It was filed by FIFPRO's European division and national leagues in Europe against FIFA's style of governance and decision-making.
FIFPRO said FIFA's core agenda included an overloaded global match calendar with too many games for elite players, lack of physical and mental recovery periods and extreme playing conditions.
Players at the month-long Club World Cup in the United States reported feeling dizzy and unwell in the heat of daytime games played to appeal to worldwide TV audiences.
The 63-game tournament backed by Saudi Arabian money was lucrative for clubs, especially in Europe, though FIFA added it to the schedule without formally consulting players.
The tournament, FIFPRO said, was '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.
'FIFPRO reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to protecting the rights of men and women players — rights which are being seriously undermined by commercial policies imposed by its autocratic system of governance,' the Netherlands-based union said of FIFA.
'This is a model that puts the health of players at risk and sidelines those at the heart of the game,' FIFPRO said, adding it was 'unacceptable for an organization that claims global leadership to turn a blind eye to the basic needs of the players.'
FIFA was approached for comment.
FIFPRO has not had a formal working agreement with FIFA since the previous one expired in 2023.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
Follow us on:
Short link:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CAF
an hour ago
- CAF
TotalEnergies CAF CHAN 2024: Angola team profile
Fact File Nickname : The Sable Antelopes Total Appearances: Four (2011, 2016, 2018, 2022) Last Appearance: Algeria 2022 Titles : 0 FIFA Ranking: 85 The TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship 2024 will see Angola making their fifth appearance from the seven in total that have been played since 2009. After missing out on the first edition in 2009, the Sable Antelopes made their debut two years later at the Sudan finals where they put up a strong performance that saw them finish fourth after being edged by the hosts in the third-place play-off. Under the guidance of coach Pedro Gonçalves, Angola are amongst the strongest teams from the Southern African region and will be looking at going all the way in their fifth attempt. How they qualified: Angola had a tricky opponent in Lesotho who have been on an impressive rise of form of late. The Sable Antelopes advanced to the finals after overcoming Lesotho over two legs to secure their fifth TotalEnergies CAF CHAN appearance. Know the coach: Pedro Gonçalves Angola will be under the tutelage of Pedro Gonçalves, a man who has grown in leaps and bounds over the years with Angolan national team. Upon his 2018 arrival, Gonçalves was appointed the Angola U-17 national team coach where he hit the ground running with a COSAFA Cup U-17 gold medal which was followed by a third-place finish at the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON, as well as guiding his side to their first ever FIFA U-17 World Cup, where their journey ended in the Round of 16. The 48-year-old caused a number of upsets in Cote d'Ivoire where he guided the Angola to an impressive Quarter-Final finish at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations. Past CHAN performances In their four previous appearances, Angola's best run came in their debut at the Sudan finals where they finished fourth behind the hosts. After missing out on the 2016 edition in Rwanda, they finished fourth at the 2018 finals in Morocco before their comeback in Algeria 2022 where they could not advance from the group stages. What to expect: Angola's recent COSAFA Cup triumph marked their fourth regional title and was dominated mostly by players plying their trade in Angola. They will be looking at continuing their fine form at the TotalEnergies CAF CHAN finals next month. Fan Zone Did you know: Angola is the second best performing Southern African nation at the TotalEnergies CAF CHAN finals after Madagascar who recently finished third at the Algeria edition. Angola finished fourth in their debut appearance in 2011 at the Sudan finals.
CAF
an hour ago
- CAF
TotalEnergies CAF CHAN 2024: Zambia team profile
Nickname: Chipolopolo Total Appearances: Four (2009, 2016, 2018, 2020) Last Appearance: Cameroon 2020 Best Finish: 3rd (2009) Titles: 0 FIFA Ranking: 87 Coach: Avram Grant Captain: Kabaso Chongo Zambia have been regular features in the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN), qualifying for the finals an impressive four times out of the previous seven editions. The Southern African nation has undoubtedly proven its ability and earned its rightful place as amongst the best teams in African football. Their last taste of continental success came at TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2012 when they became the second Southern African nation after South Africa (1996) to win the AFCON. Despite continental success eluding them in recent years, Chipolopolo have maintained their status in the Southern African region, winning seven regional COSAFA titles with the most recent being from 2023. How they qualified: Zambia qualified as a result of a walk-over following the pulling out of Mozambique. Know the coach: Avram Grant The experienced Israeli football manager will guide Zambia at the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN), taking over from Wedson Nyirenda who led the team through qualification. The former Chelsea and Portsmouth boss is known for his calm demeanour and strategic mindset, Grant brings vast experience to the Zambian technical bench. His focus at CHAN will be to maximise the potential of local talent, aligning with the tournament's home-based player policy. Zambia will look to his global expertise to guide them through a challenging Group A that includes Kenya, Morocco, DR Congo and Angola. Marshalling the troops – Kabaso Chongo Marshalling the defense and the in-field troops will be Kabaso Chongo as the team captain. The former TP Mazembe centre back who is now in the books of Kabwe Warriors brings wealth of experience to Chipolopolo in their quest for their second continental title. Previous TotalEnergies CAF CHAN performance: The 2024 finals will mark Zambia's fifth appearance at continental showpiece, with their last appearance being in 2020. Their best performance came in the inaugural edition where they finished in the top three with a bronze medal following their 2-1 victory over Senegal. Following their third-place finish in 2009, Zambia have since advanced from the group stages in all their appearances (2016, 2018, 2020) but failed to advance further than the quarter-final. They will be hoping to change that record this year. Fan Zone: Did you know: Grant famously led Chelsea to the 2008 UEFA Champions League final. His coaching career spans several continents, including stints with the Ghana national team, whom he led to the 2015 AFCON final.
CAF
an hour ago
- CAF
TotalEnergies CAF CHAN 2024: Morocco team profile
Published: Tuesday, 29 July 2025 Morocco enters the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 looking to make history by becoming the first nation to win the tournament three times, having already claimed back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2020. Factfile Nickname: Atlas Lions Previous Appearances: 4 (2014, 2016, 2018, 2020) Best Finish: Champions (2018, 2020) CHAN Titles: 2 FIFA Ranking: 14 Head Coach: Tarik Sektioui Know Your Coach: Tarik Sektioui Former international Tarik Sektioui brings considerable experience to his role as head coach of the Atlas Lions. His playing career saw him don the colors of several European clubs, including FC Porto and AJ Auxerre, before transitioning into coaching where he has enjoyed success with various Moroccan clubs including FUS Rabat, RS Berkane, and AS FAR. His appointment marks a new chapter as Morocco seeks unprecedented success in the competition. Sektioui, who has previously managed Morocco's U19 and Olympic teams, faces the considerable challenge of maintaining the nation's dominance in the competition. His extensive experience with local football, having managed several top-tier Moroccan clubs and won both domestic and continental titles, positions him well for this task. How They Qualified The Atlas Lions qualified automatically for CHAN 2024 as the only representative so far from the North African Football Union zone. They enter the tournament sharing the record for most titles (2) with DR Congo, making their fifth appearance in the competition since their debut in South Africa 2014. Morocco at CHAN Morocco's journey in CHAN has been particularly impressive in recent years. After their first appearance in 2014, they participated in three consecutive tournaments (2016, 2018, and 2020), culminating in back-to-back victories in their last two appearances. Their absence from the 2022 edition has only heightened their determination to reclaim the trophy. Fun Fact: Morocco became the first host nation to win the CHAN tournament in 2018 and the first country to win back-to-back titles (2018, 2020) What to Expect The Atlas Lions will be eager to demonstrate why they are considered among the favorites for the title, as they aim to become the first nation to win three CHAN tournaments and establish themselves as the most successful team in the competition's history.
