Here's why European football league chiefs are ready to revolt against FIFA

• FIFPRO accuses FIFA of refusing negotiations over the congested match calendar
• Player workload concerns are pushing football to a “tipping point,” says Premier League's Richard Masters
• Domestic unions from England, France, and Italy also seek mandated rest periods for players

European football leagues and FIFPRO, the global players' union, have joined forces to challenge FIFA's grip on the hectic football calendar. 

Their complaint, lodged with the European Commission in Brussels, accuses FIFA of abusing its dual role as both tournament organiser and regulator. 

As murmurs and tensions amongst players and various football league management rose, LaLiga president Javier Tebas championed this move in what could be one of the most pivotal moments in football governance, comparing it to the fight against the European Super League.

The complaint, filed on Monday, has shaken the football world, with the Premier League’s CEO Richard Masters noting that football has reached a “tipping point.” 

FIFPRO has long tried to negotiate with FIFA to address concerns over player welfare, particularly regarding the congested match calendar, but their efforts have been met with consistent refusal. FIFA’s decision to hold its expanded Club World Cup in the U.S. this summer has been met with several raised eyebrows, as many see it as an overreach in an already over-saturated calendar.

Although LaLiga might not be a formal member of the European Leagues, it stands firmly behind this cause, Tebas explained, 

“Today is one of the most important days in football, in 2019, we stopped the Super League, and today we’ve taken another vital step towards changing football governance.”

Concerns over player workload have only intensified in recent seasons. Manchester City midfielder Rodri recently warned that players are “close” to striking due to excessive match demands. Richard Masters echoed this sentiment, stating, 

“The feedback we have from players is that there is too much football being played and there is constant expansion.”

Other league representatives are also voicing their frustrations. Serie A chief executive Luigi De Siervo pointed out that while leagues like his own have not expanded match schedules, FIFA and UEFA have continuously increased the size of their club and national team competitions. 

FIFA, however, stands by its calendar, arguing that it is essential for the coexistence of international and domestic football. A FIFA representative claimed the expanded Club World Cup would have minimal impact on players since it occurs every four years and involves a maximum of seven games. 

Despite this, research from FIFPRO paints a different picture, with 72% of players supporting a reduction in the calendar, the complaint against FIFA is therefore not an isolated incident or a protest championed by just a particular sect where the only beneficiaries are FIFA and the fans.

Domestic players' unions from England, France, and Italy have also taken legal action against FIFA over players' rights, seeking mandated rest periods of three to four weeks per year. The tension in football governance is mounting, with calls for change growing louder.

Nigeria, Germany, 10 other countries to have been banned by FIFA and why

Previously, TheRadar reported that FIFA, the global body governing football, has sanctioned a range of countries for breaching its rules over the years. 

The most prominent case today is Russia, whose exclusion stems from its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This sanction serves as a reminder that football isn’t immune to political realities. But there are several other countries with similar bans in FIFA's history.