February 29 – Whilst most stakeholders were quick to congratulate Gianni Infantino after his presidential election victory, the international players’ union FIFPro took a rather more negative approach, suggesting little would be done for those who actually play the game.
In a statement the organisation said it “takes a dim view of today’s FIFA election that leaves the new President, Gianni Infantino, entrenched in a governance structure and culture that is open to corrupt practices.”.
“Despite a package of reforms approved today by FIFA, FIFPro fears placing increased power in the hands of FIFA’s 209 member associations lies at the heart of the problem.”
“These member organisations of FIFA are not representative of the game and, yet, wield enormous influence over issues that affect key stakeholders such as the players, fans, clubs and leagues. The newly-adopted reforms failed to address the fundamental issue of making football authorities accountable to the game’s most important actors.”
“The players, much like the clubs, leagues and fans, were ignored in the latest reform effort and today’s governance review will not suffice to address FIFA’s inherent governance shortcomings.”
“FIFPro is deeply concerned for the 65,000 professional male and female footballers we represent as their rights are often blatantly overlooked and exploited as a result of FIFA’s monopolistic structure.”
FIFPro was never going to accept the election result no matter who was elected because of its very public criticism of the transfer system and the way many of its members are treated.
FIFPro Secretary-General Theo van Seggelen said the reform measures should have ensured that “players, clubs and leagues have a fair and proportionate share of power in running the game” while FIFPro President Philippe Piat added that they “entrench and reward the 209 member associations and six confederations despite their complicity in the corruption and scandals that continue to plague football.”
“Key stakeholders – including the players, fans, leagues and clubs – remain marginalised, preventing FIFA from being accountable. We desperately need these checks and balances, a modern and inclusive FIFA, not a continuation of FIFA’s monopoly on power. Another, more sweeping wave of reform is urgently required.”
Infantino has pledged to involve as many different stakeholders as possible but may not find all of them as compliant as he might like. The European Clubs Association, representing around 200 clubs, while thanking him for “the constructive and reform-oriented cooperation” while he was general secretary of UEFA, reiterated its opposition to his intention to increase the number of World Cup slots from 32 to 40 which could prove a thorny issue.
ECA chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said: “Everyone, the clubs, as well as the national and international associations, bears responsibility for the players. We have reached a point where we cannot further burden the players, but need to relieve them. FIFA must fulfil this responsibility for the health of the players.”
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