World Leagues Forum raises concerns over calendar congestion

Richard Masters, Chief Executive of the Premier league.

A group chaired by Premier League chief executive Richard Masters says it will not agree to FIFA plans for an expanded World Cup and a new Club World Cup until it is given a meaningful say in calendar changes.

The World Leagues Forum, of which the Premier League is one of 44 members, has accused FIFA of acting with a lack of transparency over the changes it has made to the international calendar.

The WLF board, chaired by Masters, held a "comprehensive discussion" about calendar congestion and player workload issues caused by FIFA's recent decisions, prior to its annual meeting in Warsaw.

"Board members reiterated their concerns about the lack of transparent governance at international level on matters that have an impact on the national competitions that provide the foundations for the game," the WLF statement said.

"The WLF will continue to seek a meaningful role in the FIFA decision-making process for the international match calendar before any calendar changes are agreed."

It is unclear precisely how the WLF could look to challenge the changes, which have the backing of the European Club Association as part of its new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with FIFA.

However, PA understands frustration is growing among the leagues at FIFA's role - whether it sees itself as a competitor to the leagues, or their governing body.

Rulings are expected before the end of the year from the European Court of Justice - including in the long-running Super League case - which are expected to address FIFA's dual role as competition organiser and regulator.

Its concerns over FIFA calendar changes are shared by world players' union FIFPRO.

There are particular concerns at the WLF over how the new-look Club World Cup - due to be played every four years starting in the summer of 2025 - will affect preparations for those domestic competitions due to start in August, and the general impact of more international competitions on the primacy and prominence of domestic leagues.

Its concerns over FIFA calendar changes are shared by world players' union FIFPRO, and the two bodies are understood to be working together to examine its impact and any next steps.

The WLF has also set up a study group to look at the positive and negative impacts of the growing trend towards multi-club ownership.

Alongside FIFPRO, it has also set up a committee to look at the impact of law changes in the game on player health and safety, such as concussion substitution trials and the new directive on added time.

The intention of the committee is to create a vehicle through which the leagues and the world players' union can have a greater input into decisions taken by the game's lawmaking body, the International Football Association Board.

FIFPRO and the WLF were unsuccessful earlier this year in securing IFAB approval for a trial of temporary concussion substitutes in three leagues around the world, but remain determined to push for it.

Players such as Manchester United defender Raphael Varane and Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne have also raised concerns over the new directive to more accurately measure stoppages in play, which was first introduced at the men's World Cup in Qatar last year.

IFAB said in March that the directive should now be implemented in all competitions around the world but UEFA director of football Zvonimir Boban said in August that his organisation's competitions would not adopt it, describing the approach as "absurd" because of the amount of extra time it has added to matches in some cases.