Fifpro accused of leaving footballers
Global player union Fifpro has been accused of leaving thousands of footballers “in the cold” by accepting a deal with Fifa.
Justice For Players, a class action claiming billions after Fifa’s transfer rules were deemed illegal, says it is “disappointed” that Fifpro agreed to ask its members to drop any legal action in exchange for getting a say in talks over football’s future.
The group estimates that 100,000 footballers lost eight per cent of their earnings as a result of Fifa’s transfer framework, which was declared illegal by the European Court of Justice in the landmark 2024 Diarra ruling.
Fifpro turning its back on that claim potentially undermines it, while Justice For Players says Fifa has ignored its attempts to reach a settlement.
“We all know that Fifa earns a lot of billions, but that’s because of the players, so you have to give back something in that regard,” Justice For Player lawyer Koen Rutten told City PM.
“If something goes wrong, compensate the people for that, and that’s the simple and fair ask that we have.
“It was our goal that Fifpro or other trade unions would get a place at the table, because in the end they are the experts on the exact rules, and to develop what is relevant for the football players.
“But part of our game plan is also to make sure that something’s resolved for the past, because the players that played from 2001 until today are left in the cold, and they are harmed, and they suffer damages.
“It is clear that there was a breach of European antitrust provisions. That is wrongdoing by Fifa, that is established by European Court of Justice, so in my view, if you want to settle something, you also need to settle what you did wrong.”
Fifpro had been suing Fifa over the addition of extra games to the global match calendar but agreed to drop its action this week after Fifa gave it a seat at the table in future talks. The world governing body also announced new transfer rules to address the Diarra ruling.
Justice For Players says national player unions have not yet withdrawn their support for its class action, which it says also has the backing of thousands of current and former footballers.
“I’m happy for the players that, for the future, Fifpro will actually have this position and can actually negotiate with Fifa new good rules,” said Rutten.
“And I’m confident that we will be successful for the past. We will not give up, and with the backing we have I still feel confident and we will continue this good fight for sure.”