FIFA creates ‘fake’ federations and undermines footballers’ welfare – Fifpro

Player welfare has become a growing issue, with FIFA taking legal action against FIFA last month, saying the football calendar is so busy that players’ health is at risk.

Last year, Manchester City midfielder Rodri said that players were on the verge of going on strike due to the increase in the number of matches. He suffered a season-ending knee injury the following week.

FIFA said its meeting was attended by representatives of 30 national players’ associations and members of the Players’ Voice Committee, an advisory group of former players set up by FIFA.

Initiatives announced by FIFA included the establishment of a professional player consultation forum, and support for measures to improve players’ rest and recovery, such as having at least 72 hours of rest between matches and at least 21 days between seasons.

“We are committed to continuing to enhance player welfare and working conditions around the world by implementing concrete and meaningful actions aimed at improving football for the future,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said after the meeting.

FIFA said it would create a player welfare fund, but FIFPro says it and FIFA established such a fund before FIFA canceled it in 2022.

The Rabat meeting followed a similar meeting on player sponsorship in New York last July, to which FIFA was not invited.

This meeting took place on the eve of the final of the Club World Cup, a tournament that FIFA expanded from seven teams to 32 teams.