Legal action against Fifa includes 'abusive conduct' towards women's game

What the report says

European Leagues and the players’ union Fifpro have broadened their legal complaint against Fifa to include concerns about the governing body’s treatment of the women’s game, according to BBC Sport. The complaint, filed to the European Commission, originally focused on men’s football and accused Fifa of abusing a dominant position in relation to the international calendar introduced in 2023.

In its latest statement, European Leagues said it is now also challenging Fifa’s decisions on the women’s international match calendar and related regulations. The group argued that Fifa’s approach could harm the growth and financial stability of women’s professional leagues and could also affect player welfare. The submission says the same conflict-of-interest issues identified in the men’s game apply in women’s football as well.

European Leagues represents 53 professional divisions and 1,328 clubs across 34 countries, including major competitions such as the Premier League and, more recently, women’s leagues like the Women’s Super League. Fifa has been asked for comment. The move comes amid wider scrutiny of Fifa’s leadership and governance after a previously reported investment plan for some competitions was dropped following opposition from European football bodies.

The complaint now puts renewed pressure on the European Commission to decide whether Fifa’s role as both regulator and competition organiser breaches EU competition rules, with implications for the structure of future international calendars in both the men’s and women’s game.