The International Players’ Union, Fifpro, has condemned FIFA for organizing the Club World Cup, which they described as “nothing more than a sham.”
In a harsh statement, the President of Fifpro,
Sergio Marchi likened FIFA’s President, Gianni Infantino, to the Roman emperor Nero.
He also accused FIFA of prioritizing revenue growth over the health and well-being of players.
This criticism follows a BBC report revealing that Fifpro was not invited to a crucial meeting on player welfare that Infantino held just before the Club World Cup final with representatives from other unions.
Last year, in response to the expansion of the Club World Cup, Fifpro filed a legal complaint against FIFA, alleging that it had misused its authority under European competition law by increasing the pressure on the fixture schedule.
FIFA denied these allegations, and over the weekend, Infantino referred to the tournament as “the most successful club competition in the world.”
However, tensions have escalated, with Marchi asserting that while the Club World Cup “generated excitement among many fans and showcased some of the world’s top talents in a single tournament, it conceals a troubling disconnect from the reality faced by most footballers globally.
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“What was marketed as a global celebration of football was merely a fabrication created by FIFA, promoted by its president, without dialogue, sensitivity, or respect for those who contribute to the game through their daily efforts.”
He compared the event to the extravagant spectacles of Nero’s Rome, which entertained the masses while underlying issues of inequality, instability, and lack of protection for the true stars of the sport persisted.
Nero, the fifth Roman emperor, is known for hosting grand events that endeared him to the public, but he is more infamously remembered for his cruelty.
Over the weekend, FIFA announced a “consensus” with player unions that players should have at least 72 hours of rest between matches and a minimum of 21 days off at the end of each season.
However, this is a week shorter than what Fifpro had requested.
Fifpro, representing 66,000 male and female players worldwide, has previously raised concerns about the extreme heat players faced in the U.S. during the tournament, calling for more flexibility from FIFA regarding match times and protocols.
Infantino acknowledged that the heat was “an issue.”
Marchi remarked that “the tournament took place under unacceptable conditions that jeopardized players’ physical integrity.
“This situation must not only be condemned but also firmly warned against. What occurred cannot be allowed to happen again at next year’s FIFA World Cup.”