FIFA has intensified its ongoing dispute with the global players’ union Fifpro after choosing to exclude the organization from a key meeting on player welfare. The football governing body has scheduled a professional players’ consultation forum in Rabat, Morocco, with several national player unions invited, but Fifpro has been deliberately left out of the discussions.
The Rabat forum, set to take place this Saturday, will focus on crucial matters affecting modern footballers, including workload, mental health, and safety. FIFA’s invitation, extended to “representatives of football players from around the world,” also promises to cover all travel and accommodation expenses for attendees. However, the absence of Fifpro — which represents over 65,000 professional players through 72 national unions — has raised concerns about FIFA’s approach to dialogue and inclusion.
FIFA maintains that it has a duty to move forward with the development of new welfare standards, even without Fifpro’s involvement. This decision follows growing tension between the two organizations, which began after Fifpro filed a complaint with the European Commission last year. The complaint accused FIFA of failing to properly consult players’ representatives before introducing the expanded Club World Cup — a case still under review.
The rift widened further when FIFA organized a welfare discussion in New York during the Club World Cup, again excluding Fifpro. Following that meeting, Fifpro’s president criticized FIFA’s leadership, accusing it of sidelining players and prioritizing commercial interests over well-being.
In response, FIFA hit back by accusing Fifpro’s leadership of hypocrisy and self-interest, claiming that the union’s public attacks did not reflect genuine concern for players. FIFA called on the union to publish its financial statements before being considered for future participation in player welfare discussions.
Fifpro has since suspended several members who attended the New York meeting against its directive, yet some of those individuals are expected to participate in the Rabat talks. The union expressed dismay at FIFA’s continued exclusion, reiterating that any credible discussion about player welfare must involve the organization that directly represents professional footballers worldwide.
The escalating standoff underscores a growing divide between FIFA and the global player community. As FIFA pushes forward with its welfare agenda, questions remain about the legitimacy and inclusiveness of reforms made without Fifpro’s input.
