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VDV Files EU Complaint Over FIFA Scheduling Practices

The union argues FIFA’s dual function breaches EU cartel law, resulting in an oversaturated schedule.

Overview

  • The German players’ union VDV lodged a formal complaint with the European Commission on June 11 targeting FIFA’s match calendar.
  • The complaint asserts that FIFA’s roles as international regulator and competition organizer violate Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU.
  • The action was prompted by the expanded Club World Cup in the United States, which the VDV says exemplifies an oversaturated calendar causing player fatigue.
  • VDV president Carsten Ramelow is seeking legally binding consultation rights in FIFA’s calendar decisions and urging the DFB to defend player welfare and national competitions.
  • The union represents over 1,400 professional footballers and offers legal, career and psychological support to challenge mounting workload concerns.