Football union FIFPRO warns FIFA against ultimatums on commercial deals

The global footballers' union FIFPRO has issued a strong warning to FIFA, urging the international football association to avoid making critical decisions through ultimatums. FIFPRO stated that significant choices, like opening commercial exploitation of competitions such as the World Cup to private investment, require an "authentic and inclusive process."

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Decisions of such importance... must be taken through an authentic and inclusive process, and not through ultimatums.

FIFPRO highlighted the crucial role of professional footballers as "fundamental actors in the football ecosystem." The union stressed that decisions regarding governance and development inevitably affect players' working and competitive environments. They called for transparency, clear processes, and effective participation from all legitimate stakeholders in professional football's future.

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As workers, professional footballers are fundamental actors in the football ecosystem, and decisions on the governance and development of international football inevitably have consequences on the environment in which they operate and compete.

Despite recent progress in dialogue between FIFPRO and FIFA, including a Memorandum of Understanding, FIFA's plan to create a commercial entity, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), has drawn criticism. FIFA intends to sell 20% of FFE, valued at $20 billion, to raise approximately $4.2 billion. This move faces opposition from European, Asian, and North/Central American confederations. International reports suggest a private investor group, potentially led by Thrive Eternal, would acquire the stake.

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Initiatives of such magnitude require transparency, clear processes, and effective participation from those who have a legitimate interest in the future of professional football.