By Andrew Warshaw
February 4 – The war of words between Europe’s clubs and the players’ union FIFPro over reforming the transfer system has been stepped up with another hard-hitting exchange of views.
FIFpro claims around 4,000 players file cases with FIFA each year over either not being paid by their clubs or having their contracts terminated unjustly and last week held a crisis meeting when the two sides could not agree on a way forward.
FIFPro is threatening to take legal action but the European Club Association (ECA) and the European Professional Football Leagues have condemned FIFpro’s recent statements as being both unfair and provocative.
The union claims the clubs and leagues have failed to accept four key proposals to ensure contractual stability but the ECA argues they have not impeded discussion and that, on the contrary, significant progress has been made
“The European Clubs Association (ECA) does not understand FIFPro’s sudden change in tone, which is regrettable and disrespectful,” ECA said in a statement.
“ECA and EPFL (the) would like to stress that they have always been committed to an open and fair dialogue within the appropriate institutional framework.
“Over the last couple of years, a lot has been achieved in different committees and working groups at UEFA and FIFA level involving all stakeholders, which in many cases has led to some concrete positive results for players as well.”
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