European Leagues expands FIFA complaint to women’s football calendar
The leagues’ umbrella group alleges FIFA’s regulatory decisions threaten women’s competitions, financial sustainability and player wellbeing. No European Commission finding has been reported.
European Leagues has extended a complaint to the European Commission, alleging FIFA engaged in abusive conduct and breached European competition law over the women’s international match calendar and related regulatory decisions.
The complaint was originally lodged in October 2024 over FIFA’s men’s international calendar, announced in 2023. European Leagues alleged FIFA had failed to properly consult leagues and had abused a dominant position under European competition law.
The group now says the same governance concerns affect women’s football. It alleges FIFA’s dual role as regulator and competition organiser creates a conflict of interest, allowing it to favour its own competitions and commercial interests at the expense of European national leagues.
European Leagues says the conduct threatens the growth and financial sustainability of women’s professional leagues, while putting player health and wellbeing at risk. Its membership recently expanded to include 14 European women’s leagues, including England’s Women’s Super League and Scotland’s Women’s Premier League.
FIFA has previously said the 2023 calendar followed extensive consultation with stakeholders, including leagues. It has also maintained that it can set the parameters of its competitions, including the Club World Cup, provided they fit within the agreed calendar framework.
The European Commission’s response to the expanded complaint, and any finding that FIFA breached competition law, have not been reported.
