FIFA has hit back at FIFPro, the global players’ union, after a series of public criticisms.
FIFA has taken aim at FIFPro, calling its recent comments “divisive” in tone and accused union of focusing more on media battles than on helping players.
On July 25, FIFPro issued a statement claiming the “rights which are being seriously undermined by commercial policies imposed by its autocratic system of governance.”
The body, which represents the rights of over 60,000 men and women footballers, went on to criticise FIFA for prioritising commercial expansion at the expense of player welfare.
FIFPro pointed to a congested match calendar, insufficient recovery time, hazardous playing conditions, a lack of genuine consultation, and persistent neglect of players’ social protections as evidence of a system that sidelines those at the centre of the game.
“FIFA continues to systematically ignore and silence the real issues players face in different parts of the world. It is unacceptable for an organisation that claims global leadership to turn a blind eye to the basic needs of the players,” FIFPro said.
On the same day, FIFA issued a statement of its own, where it said it was “disappointed by the increasingly divisive and contradictory tone” adopted by FIFPro’s leadership.
In the statement, FIFA laid out a list of real actions it says are already happening or coming soon to protect players’ health and well-being.
These include rules to make sure players get enough rest between matches, with a mandatory minimum of 72 hours off to help players recover both physically and mentally. FIFA said it would also guarantee a holiday break of at least 21 days at the end of each season, giving players a proper chance to recharge.
The regulatory governing body went on to state it also wants players to have more of a voice in how the game is run. This means increasing player and union representation on key FIFA committees and tribunals, so players can directly influence decisions that affect their careers.
On the administrative side, FIFA is working on reforms to the transfer system, covering issues like training compensation for young players and the trial periods clubs offer them.
Women’s football is also a priority, with FIFA committing to supporting and growing the women’s game around the world. Additionally, FIFA is rolling out new measures to protect players from discrimination and harassment.
“These concrete measures go beyond what FIFPro has been pretending to be asking for, and FIFA is extremely surprised by their leadership’s reaction,” FIFA’s statement read.
What led to this?
On July 23, The Athletic published an interview with Sergio Marchi, the new President of FIFPro.
The piece opens with criticism of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, with Marchi describing him as an autocrat focused solely on “grand spectacles” like the recently expanded FIFA Club World Cup, while ignoring players’ needs.
“I can’t sit quietly while people suffer,” Marchi said. “A lot of people told me not to speak. But I follow my convictions. I’m persistent. And I’m not afraid of power.”
Marchi stressed that tournaments like the Club World Cup “weren’t created by Infantino,” but they exist because of the players and the fans.
“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,” FIFPro’s recent statement said.
The announcement of the expanded Club World Cup triggered a media storm last year, not just between players, FIFPro and FIFA, but also between UEFA and FIFA. This was due to UEFA itself having increased the number of games in its club competitions, adding to player fatigue.
Marchi’s interview wasn’t just an attack on the new competition; the new president also highlighted a darker side of the game.
“More than half of professional players aren’t paid their wages, thousands are locked into contracts that are violated, many face abuse, physical, psychological, financial, that spills over into their families’ lives,” he said.
Despite FIFA’s recent boast of nearly $2bn in ticket sales for the Club World Cup, Marchi pointed out the benefits are not shared fairly. “We’re in the 21st century and thousands of players still go unpaid. Meanwhile, FIFA celebrates record ticket sales. Let them have their party, but the people who built the game should be paid too.”
This issue was again reiterated in FIFPro’s latest statement, claiming FIFA’s recent announcement “boasting” an expected six million ticket sales for the next World Cup focused “solely on commercial metrics, while ignoring the structural hardship that defines much of global football.”
“Does FIFA know how much a player earns in Africa? Is it aware that in many parts of the world it is common for salaries to go unpaid for weeks at a time?” FIFPro questioned.
Players pressured into silence
A particularly damning portion from Marchi’s interview is likely to have added to FIFA’s irritation.
“If you asked a player whether they want to play at noon, in 45 °C heat, they’d say no. But no one asks them. They’re told to shut up and play,” he said
He added players often remain silent out of fear. “Enzo [Fernandez] criticised the conditions after the game. But most of the time players are afraid speaking up could hurt their careers. But it’s up to us, their representatives, to speak for them. And I will,” Marchi said.
This idea of players being silenced by fear puts FIFA in a challenging position, raising questions about governance and player welfare.
Insider Sport spoke last year with Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn about the growing strain of more matches and less rest, during a press conference at Bodymoor Heath Training Ground.
“I think there is a part of it that’s getting a little bit out of hand, especially the Club World Cup next season,” McGinn said. “We’re obviously very fortunate to be well paid for doing a job we absolutely love. No one’s getting away from that.”
“But at times, the kind of mental side of things… sometimes you just need to switch off. Initially, when we first got into the European competition, I was like, keep the games coming, but it is hard to churn them out when you’re playing over 70 games a season, and then you play international games.”
“There’s not a lot of time to rest, so they need to get the balance a bit better. I think there are a lot of people pushing for that. So, we are supporting that. Of course, we want to be successful and we love playing football, but the balance has to be right.”
FIFA’s defence
FIFPro’s latest statement highlights players feeling the pressure from more matches and minutes on the pitch. But there is a balancing act that FIFA have to maintain in order to ensure growth as a business model – something the body claims benefits players and communities in the long run.
While some critics point to over-commercialisation and loss of club identity, FIFA says investment is rising overall, supporting the sport’s future.
FIFPro also supports this goal, but not if it comes at the expense of player safety. “FIFPRO is not opposed to the economic growth or commercial development of the game. On the contrary, we believe such growth must be rooted in principles of fairness, respect, and accountability toward those who make football possible with their talent and effort: the players,” its statement said.
FIFA’s latest remarks also challenged FIFPro on governance and transparency.
“As FIFPro is interested in addressing matters such as good governance, maybe they would want to consider publishing their own statutes and releasing transparent annual accounts, to ensure that what is being preached is also being practised. Let us be clear: you cannot preach transparency while operating in opacity,” the statement read.
The organisation then went on to reiterate its commitment to placing players at the heart of football’s future, not just in words but through “concrete” actions.
FIFA invited genuine player representatives to engage in “transparent, solution-focused dialogue” rather than attacking from the sidelines.
The statement concluded by calling on FIFPro to return to the negotiating table, but only after it stops what FIFA describes as “blackmail,” withdraws complaints, and publishes its statutes, full financial reports and a list of its members.
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