Legal proceedings brought by Europe’s leading leagues and the international players’ union Fifpro against Fifa have been widened to address claims of improper conduct affecting women’s football.
European Leagues represents 53 professional competitions, including the Premier League, as well as 1,328 clubs across 34 countries. It initially submitted the complaint to the European Commission in October 2024, seeking greater protection for the welfare of male players.
The filing alleged that Fifa misused its dominant position under European competition law by excluding domestic leagues and players’ unions from discussions about the new men’s international calendar unveiled in 2023.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the organisation confirmed that the complaint would now also cover Fifa’s conduct concerning the women’s international match schedule and associated regulatory decisions.
European Leagues warned that these actions could undermine the development and long-term financial stability of professional women’s competitions while placing players’ health and welfare at risk.
It called on the European Commission to uphold European Union law and prevent the future direction of professional women’s football from being decided solely by Fifa.
The expanded submission claims that the same issues raised in the original case remain present, arguing that Fifa’s combined responsibilities as both regulator and tournament organiser create a conflict of interest.
It further alleges that, as with the men’s game, Fifa uses its regulatory authority to advance its own tournaments and commercial priorities at the expense of women’s football and Europe’s domestic leagues.
European Leagues added 14 women’s competitions to its membership in June, among them the Women’s Super League and the Scottish Women’s Premier League.
Its membership also covers major competitions such as the Premier League, English Football League, Scottish Professional Football League, La Liga, Serie A and Bundesliga.
Fifa has been contacted and invited to respond to the allegations.
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