The association has extended its competition law complaint against FIFA to include the women’s international match calendar and regulatory decisions.
Key facts
- •The European Leagues first filed a complaint against FIFA with the European Commission in October 2024.
- •The original complaint focused on the men’s International Match Calendar, including the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- •The European Leagues admitted 14 women’s professional leagues to its membership in June.
- •The association demands that representatives of women’s professional leagues be included in future calendar-related decision-making.
- •FIFA President Gianni Infantino recently faced opposition over the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise commercial proposal.
The European Leagues announced on Tuesday that it has expanded its existing competition law complaint against FIFA to cover women's football. The association, which represents professional leagues across Europe, submitted the extension to the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition, alleging that FIFA is engaging in abusive conduct regarding the women's international match calendar.
Basis of the Complaint
The European Leagues argues that FIFA’s dual role as both a regulator and a competition organizer creates a conflict of interest. The association claims that FIFA uses its regulatory authority to prioritize its own commercial interests while failing to consult with women’s professional leagues on calendar decisions. This follows a similar complaint filed in October 2024 regarding the men's game, which alleged that an oversaturated calendar threatens player health and the sustainability of domestic competitions.
Broader Context and FIFA Response
The expansion follows the European Leagues' decision in June to admit 14 women’s professional leagues, including the English Women’s Super League and the Scottish Women’s Premier League. FIFA has previously maintained that its international match calendar is the result of extensive stakeholder consultation and asserts its right to set parameters for its own competitions. The complaint coincides with ongoing pressure on FIFA President Gianni Infantino regarding the previously abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal.
Timeline
- October 2024European Leagues, FIFPRO Europe, and LaLiga filed the initial complaint against FIFA.
- JuneEuropean Leagues admitted 14 women’s professional leagues to its association.
- TuesdayEuropean Leagues extended its complaint to cover the women’s international match calendar.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Anadolu Agency Sport.
