FIFA Holds Meeting Without Inviting Major Players’ Union FIFPRO

According to ESPN sources, the World Football Federation (FIFA) held a summit meeting in New York without inviting FIFPRO — the global players’ union representing 66,000 professional players.

Gianni Infantino, FIFA president, announced reaching a “consensus” on mandatory rest periods and player welfare — however the meeting excluded both FIFPRO and the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA).

This meeting occurs amid rising tensions — FIFPRO has urged FIFA to more actively consult with players’ unions, particularly regarding this summer’s 32-team Club World Cup.

• European players’ union filed legal complaint to European Union a year ago
• FIFA accused of abusing its dominant position in football
• International match calendar expansion done without proper consultation

Sources indicate that player representatives present at the meeting with Infantino were national union officials whose organizations have been expelled from FIFPRO. Senior player representatives consider FIFA’s statement “deeply flawed” and the agreements reached are not legally binding.