soccer - German Football League will mediate in the calendar dispute
The German Football League will act as a mediator and cooperate in the dispute over the increasingly congested football calendar, stated DFL-CEO Marc Lenz in response to an inquiry from the German Press Agency (dpa). The health of the players and the protection of national leagues as the heart of football are important common concerns, Lenz added. The DFL will support the European Leagues in their complaint to the EU against FIFA's one-sided determination of the international football calendar.
The alliance of leagues, along with the player union Fifpro, announced on Tuesday that they would be appearing before the EU Commission in Brussels against FIFA. The main issue is the new FIFA Club World Cup, which will be held next year for the first time with 32 teams over four weeks. Critics complain about the increasing burden on players due to more matches.
A common solution with FIFA?
"It is important for the future to establish a transparent and participatory procedure under the umbrella of FIFA," Lenz said. "The DFL will act as a mediator and cooperate – because future collaboration between the world body and national leagues is necessary."
The EU Commission commented on the complaint announcement immediately. FIFA dismissed the allegations. "The current calendar was unanimously approved by the FIFA Council, which consists of representatives from all continents, including Europe, after a comprehensive and comprehensive consultation, in which Fifpro and league associations also participated," the statement read.
More mandatory matches in the Champions League
The number of mandatory matches in professional football is growing again with the new 2024/25 season. In the Champions League of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), there are two additional group stage matches and optionally two additional matches in the knockout phase. In addition, there is the Club World Cup, with Germany represented by FC Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. Previously, the annual tournament had only involved seven teams. The new, four-yearly planned event replaces the Confederations Cup.
- The Bundesliga, being a significant part of German football, shares common concerns with other national leagues about the well-being of players and the protection of the league's integrity.
- The dispute over the congested football calendar will be mediated by the German Football League (DFL), led by CEO Marc Lenz, who believes in the importance of collaboration between FIFA and national leagues.
- The European Leagues, with the support of the DFL and FIFA player union FIFPro, are planning to bring their complaint against FIFA's one-sided determination of the international football calendar to the EU Commission in Brussels.
- Criticism against FIFA's decision to hold the new FIFA Club World Cup with 32 teams over four weeks is growing, as more matches put excessive strain on players.
- The DFL is advocating for a transparent and participatory procedure under FIFA's umbrella, emphasizing the necessity of future collaboration between the world body and national leagues.
- The EU Commission has weighed in on the complaint announcement, while FIFA has dismissed the allegations, asserting that their decision was unanimously approved by the FIFA Council following comprehensive consultation with all continents, including Europe.
- As the new 2024/25 season approaches, more mandatory matches will be added to professional football, such as two additional group stage matches in the UEFA Champions League and potentially two additional matches in the knockout phase.
- Germany's football clubs, FC Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, will participate in the Club World Cup, which replaces the Confederations Cup, further increasing the number of matches in the international football calendar.
