What is FIFA accused of abusing its dominant position for?

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FIFA Accused of Abusing Dominant Position Over International Football Calendar and Tournament Expansions

Major European football bodies have lodged a complaint with the European Commission, accusing FIFA of abusing its dominant position. The allegations centre on FIFA's unilateral decisions regarding the international match calendar and the expansion of its tournaments, which complainants argue violate EU law and harm the interests of national leagues and players.
Imposition of Decisions on the International Calendar

The complaint specifically targets FIFA's imposition of decisions on the international football calendar, asserting that this constitutes an abuse of dominance. FIFPro Europe, the European Leagues body, and Spain's La Liga contend that FIFA holds conflicting roles as both a governing body and a competition organiser, creating a significant conflict of interest. This situation, they argue, allows FIFA to dictate calendar changes without adequate consultation, thereby harming the economic interests of national leagues and the health and safety of players.
Harm to Player Health and League Competitions

Recent European court rulings, including those related to the Super League and the Lassana Diarra case, have been cited as precedent for the current legal challenge. The complainants state that FIFA's rules and conduct have detrimental effects on player well-being and the financial stability of domestic competitions. A report by FIFPro previously highlighted concerns that governing bodies are risking players' health due to an increasingly congested calendar, leading some prominent players to consider strike action in protest against mounting demands.
Lack of Consultation on Tournament Expansions

A key grievance highlighted is FIFA's alleged failure to consult stakeholders on recent calendar changes, most notably the introduction of a 32-team Club World Cup. The inaugural expanded tournament is scheduled for June and July of next year in the United States, featuring 12 European clubs. This expansion means many top European players will be compelled to participate during a period that would typically be a close-season break, occurring just a year before the also-expanded 48-team World Cup in North America.
Concerns Over Domestic League Competitions

Representatives from domestic leagues have expressed significant concern that their own competitions will suffer the most from these calendar changes. The worry is that top players will be forced to miss more domestic matches to manage rest and recovery, which in turn could damage the brand value and appeal of national leagues. FIFA, however, has previously countered such criticisms by accusing leagues of commercial self-interest and hypocrisy, suggesting their preference is for a calendar filled with less demanding friendly matches and summer tours.

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What is FIFA accused of abusing its dominant position for?

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