VDV raises EU complaints against FIFA: playing the player under pressure!

VDV raises EU complaints against FIFA: playing the player under pressure!

What is actually going on in football? The union of the contract football player (VDV) today lodged a complaint to the European Commission against FIFA. This was initiated by the excessively high stress on the players in connection with the international game calendar, in particular through the upcoming new World Cup. This will take place in the USA next Saturday and last until July 13th. According to [mainpost.de] (https://www.mainpost.de/sport/fussball/fussball- player-mit-mit-eu-kutde- fifa-109224917), the VDV sees a clear risk to the physical and mental health of the players.

The VDV President Carsten Ramelow criticizes in his statement that FIFA unilaterally makes its dominant position and decisions unilaterally without adequately consulting the player representatives. "We are asking FIFA to involve the planning of the international game calendar," said Ramelow. The need for a healthy level in football is not only important for the players themselves, but also for the economic stability of the national leagues. The overloaded game calendar endangers the social and economic sustainability of traditional competitions, as Ramelow underlines. The DFB is also requested to be clearly committed to the interests of the players and national competitions.

conflicts of interest and stress spirals

The criticism of FIFA is not limited to the international game calendar. Rather, the VDV sees a conflict of interest in the double role of FIFA: According to Ramelow, this approach is not only inappropriate, as a standards and betting operator, but could also be questionable under antitrust and violated Article 102 of the TFEU. The player union would like a structural change that enables innovative cooperation.

The VDV represents over 1,400 members and offers support in areas such as law, provision, education and sports psychology. Particular attention is paid to the annual event of a Proficamps for contractless players to offer them a meaningful orientation.

future of the international game calendar

On the other hand, the international game calendar will not stand still. The FIFA Council has already adopted a new calendar for the period 2025 to 2030. Special highlights are the FIFA World Cup 2026 ™ with twelve groups of four and the final competition day on July 19, 2026. In addition, additional transfer reforms and the formation of a working group to the well-being of the players have been determined in order to improve their health. Information on this can be found on fifa.com

It remains to be seen whether the VDV will be heard with its EU complaint and whether there will soon be fundamental changes in football. It is only clear that the pressure on FIFA increases and the player representatives require a stronger voice - for a better and more balanced future in football. It remains an exciting topic that should move all football fans.