How England should line up once Tuchel takes charge

Chelsea young guns driving perfect start to post-Hayes era

How it feels to beat Lionel Messi

England's biggest winners & losers from the Nations League

Top 25 Serie A players of the 21st century - ranked

Szoboszlai in tears as Netherlands vs Hungary is halted

Ronaldo wants to make Guardiola the Selecao's new boss

Neymar told he’s ‘same level as Messi’ but ‘ruined career’

Why Ronaldo has been released from the Portugal squad

Rooney sends heartfelt message to Coleen before jungle stint  

Felix dazzles but Ronaldo-less Portugal lack finishers

Ronaldo sets clear timeline for retirement

Is 1,000 goals realistic? Ex-CR7 rival says he’ll ‘get there’

Manchester City

Manchester United

Liverpool

Arsenal

Chelsea

Other

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Club World Cup being expanded</li><li>No mandatory off-season break in place</li><li>Divisions &amp; players airing grievances</li></ul>

FIFA accused of 'abuse of dominance' as European leagues and players' unions take legal action over 'unsustainable' international schedule

The European Leagues organisation, which represents the professional divisions in England, has announced that a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/fifa-legal-action-players-union-club-world-cup/blt07e0c141f5ff8337" target="_blank">complaint will be filed to the European Commission</a> – alongside players’ union FIFPRO Europe – on the grounds of competition law.

WHAT HAPPENED?

FIFA has announced the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/club-world-cup-2025-how-qualification-works-list-qualified-teams/bltac42bd2227f80540" target="_blank">Club World Cup is to be expanded to 32 teams from 2025</a> and will be played when domestic campaigns and international matches come to a close. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/fifa-legal-action-club-world-cup-united-states-manchester-city-chelsea/blt30aed42ff5bbc9af" target="_blank">Concerns are being raised regarding the demands being placed on players</a> in congested schedules.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) has said of taking a stance against FIFA: "The complaint will explain that FIFA's conduct infringes EU competition law and notably constitutes an abuse of dominance: FIFA holds a dual role as both the global regulator of football and a competition organiser. This creates a conflict of interest, which, consistent with recent case law of the EU courts, requires FIFA to exercise its regulatory functions in a way that is transparent, objective, non-discriminatory and proportionate. FIFA's conduct in respect of the international match calendar falls well short of these requirements.“This complaint, that will be formally filed by European Leagues, LaLiga, and FIFPRO Europe will run in parallel to separate actions initiated by individual leagues and player unions at national level. The English, French and Italian player unions brought an action with the Brussels commercial court in June. European Leagues and FIFPRO Europe have already informed the European Commission of their decision and look forward to working closely with the Commission, relevant public institutions and football stakeholders throughout the investigation process.”

WHAT THE PFA SAID

FIFA are yet to grant a mandatory 28-day break during annual off seasons, with league and player unions claiming that world football’s governing body has "consistently refused to include national leagues and player unions in its decision-making process", while also asserting that "the international match calendar is now beyond saturation and has become unsustainable for national leagues and a risk for the health of players".

DID YOU KNOW?

FIFA will be fighting its corner and pointed out that current calendars have been unanimously approved by its ruling council. A statement given to <a href="https://news.sky.com/story/premier-league-joins-new-legal-action-against-fifa-over-packed-international-schedule-13183676 " target="_blank">Sky News</a> reads: “The current calendar was unanimously approved by the FIFA Council, which is composed of representatives from all continents, including Europe, following a comprehensive and inclusive consultation, which included FIFPRO and league bodies. FIFA’s calendar is the only instrument ensuring that international football can continue to survive, co-exist, and prosper alongside domestic and continental club football. Some leagues in Europe - themselves competition organisers and regulators - are acting with commercial self-interest, hypocrisy, and without consideration to everyone else in the world. Those leagues apparently prefer a calendar filled with friendlies and summer tours, often involving extensive global travel. By contrast, FIFA must protect the overall interests of world football, including the protection of players, everywhere and at all levels of the game.”

HOW FIFA RESPONDED

FIFA accused of 'abuse of dominance' as European leagues and players' unions take legal action over 'unsustainable' international schedule | Goal.com

The Premier League has joined the legal fight against FIFA and supposed “abuse of dominance” when it comes to the international football calendar.

FIFA accused of &apos;abuse of dominance&apos; as European leagues and players&apos; unions take legal action over &apos;unsustainable&apos; international schedule