FIFA accused of 'abusive conduct' in the women's game

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FT Desk

FIFA have been accused of abusive conduct with regard to how the football calendar of the women's game is governed.

When the new men's international calendar was announced in 2023, the European Leagues, which represents 53 professional divisions and 1,328 clubs in 34 countries, filed a complaint with FIFA after domestic leagues and player unions were not consulted.

In both the men's and women's game, there are increasing concerns over the gruelling football schedule that players must endure through club and international football

In a statement on Tuesday, European Leagues said it is extending the scope of its original complaint for the men's game to include "FIFA's abusive conduct regarding the women's international match calendar and related women's football regulatory decisions".

"FIFA's conduct threatens the growth and financial sustainability of women's professional leagues, and risks player health and wellbeing," the statement continued.

"The European Commission must now act to ensure that EU law is respected and that the future of women's professional football is not determined unilaterally by FIFA.

"The submission details the same pattern of conduct identified in the original complaint - FIFA holds conflicting roles as governing body and competition organiser, which gives rise to a conflict of interest.

"As in men's football, FIFA consistently uses its regulatory power to favour its own competition and commercial interests to the detriment of women's football and of European national leagues."

A FIFA spokesperson said: "FIFA believes in the power of dialogue as opposed to legal action and escalation, and our doors always remain open to reach agreements in the best interest of football.

"As a matter of fact, a landmark agreement reached with Fifpro earlier this year enabled groundbreaking reforms to the global transfer system, jointly adopted in full consensus with all football stakeholders.

"As the women's global landscape continues to grow and broaden, Fifa is committed to expand and identify emerging stakeholders in anticipation of the conversations that will begin on the next iteration of the March calendar."

England captain Leah Williamson suggested in February that footballers could go on strike due to concerns over the ever-increasing schedule of matches.

Last summer, England won the European championships but Williamson was subsequently sidelined for five months due to injury after undergoing knee surgery.

When asked if players may take drastic measures, such as going on strike, to help reduce the vigorous calendar, Williamson responded:

"I've not had any conversations about this right now, but if a group of people don't feel like they're getting listened to, then history suggests that's the only way they can be heard.

"I would never take it off the table. I don't think that's where we are now. I think we're still in a place where we can collaborate, listen and educate.

"It's mainly around the rest periods and trying to get all governing bodies to align. It always sounds like we're asking for a holiday, but that's not the case.

"I'm a professional footballer and part of my job is also to rest, which I'm encouraged to do so by my managers and the environments we play in.

"So why is that not prioritised when we're left to our own devices?"

European Leagues only recently welcomed 14 women's divisions to its ranks in June, including the Women's Super League and the Scottish Women's Premier League.