The recent report by Belgium’s Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven) highlights a troubling reality within the professional football sector: the violation of critical safety standards and the disregard for labor rights. Commissioned by the global players’ union FIFPRO, this report questions the fundamental principles of worker protection in a sport celebrated worldwide. With the joint complaint that has been filed against FIFA for its alleged abuse of power, the issues raised call for urgent attention and reform.
One of the primary findings of the KU Leuven report is the alarming neglect of essential labor standards within the realm of professional football. Frank Hendrickx, an esteemed director at the Institute for Labour Law at KU Leuven, pointed out during a recent announcement that professional football players are fundamentally workers, deserving of the same employment protections that apply to any worker in Europe and across the globe. However, the realities painted in the report reveal a landscape where these standards are ignored, fostering an environment ripe for exploitation.
Concerns surrounding player well-being are particularly pronounced given the expansion of the football calendar, which has dramatic implications for those participating in the sport. The report explicitly criticizes the decision to increase the number of participating teams in the FIFA Club World Cup from seven to 32, which essentially compresses the off-season for players, leaving scant room for recovery. The ramifications of such decisions echo throughout the leagues; players face unprecedented physical and mental fatigue due to the relentless demands placed upon them. As Lode Godderis, an occupational health expert, stated, the incidence of injuries in the football sector surpasses that of other industries, further underscoring the urgency for better management of player welfare.
FIFPRO, alongside other European leagues, has raised serious allegations against FIFA, emphasizing that the global governing body is abusing its power by imposing a calendar that undermines players’ health and safety. The joint complaint filed in Brussels on October 14 is a harbinger of the growing frustration among players and their unions regarding FIFA’s refusal to acknowledge the pressing need for reform. As noted by Alfonso Lamadrid, an attorney specializing in EU competition law, the way FIFA has structured the calendar actively threatens player welfare, making it untenable for clubs and athletes to meet collective bargaining agreements.
A Culture of Silence Breaking
In recent months, more players than ever have begun to speak out, voicing their concerns about soaring match counts and disrupted schedules. Alexander Bielefeld, FIFPRO’s director for policy in men’s football, has observed this shift within the sport, asserting that players are no longer willing to shoulder the burdens associated with a grueling competition schedule and that they are ready to advocate for their rights. The momentum is building—a signal that a culture of silence may be finally breaking in a game that too often prioritizes profit over player health.
The findings of the KU Leuven report will not only support the ongoing complaint against FIFA but will also bolster separate legal actions initiated by several national players’ associations from England, France, and Italy. By bringing these issues to light, FIFPRO and its coalition partners hope to secure systemic changes within the professional football landscape. The push for reform aims to establish a new era in which player health and labor rights are central to how football is organized and governed, ensuring that the individuals who drive this beloved sport are treated not merely as commodities but as essential stakeholders worthy of respect and protection.
The report from KU Leuven serves as a crucial indictment of the current state of professional football, drawing attention to the industry’s neglect of labor rights and safety standards. As stakeholders rally for reform and seek to hold governing bodies accountable, the time is ripe for transformative change that prioritizes the health, safety, and rights of professional players. Only through coherent actions and comprehensive reforms can we ensure that football remains a sport that upholds the dignity of all those who dedicate their lives to it.