KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTING —- FIFA has pressed on with its project toexclude international players’ association FIFPRO from wide-ranging talks about footballers’ welfare.

The world federation president Gianni Infantino and secretary-general Mattias Grafström led a FIFA delegation in what it described as “fruitful discussions with players’ unions from across the world” in Rabat, Morocco ahead of the final of the U-17 Women’s World Cup.

An initial meeting sidestepping FIFPRO had been organised by FIFA during the Cub World Cup in the United States in July.

A FIFA statement said the Rabat meeting had been attended by “members of the players’ voice panel, including honorary captain George Weah, and several legends and world champions from men’s and women’s football” as well as representatives from 30 players’ unions.

The failure to involve FIFPRO, which represents more than 65,000 members and 72 national unions, raises obvious questions about the validity of Infantino’s strategy.

In explaining the initiative, he said: “At FIFA, we remain committed to further enhancing player welfare and working conditions across the world by implementing concrete and meaningful measures.

“This is evident through the substantial investment that FIFA will be making through the FIFA Fund for Professional Players, and through other opportunities to engage via the various FIFA bodies, as well as other important initiatives agreed at this initial FIFA Professional Players Consultation Forum gathering.”

A barbed jibe at FIFPRO was a further comment that “FIFA wants to work with all those genuinely interested in progress and respectful dialogue – our door is always open to all views that respect these values.”

The Rabat meeting created a FIFA Professional Players Consultation Forum after a reaffirmation of an earlier agreement featuring –

At least 72 hours of rest between matches;

Rest period/holiday of at least 21 days between seasons;

One rest day per week; and

Measures to consider long-haul intercontinental trips and climatic conditions.

A lucrative carrot on offer from FIFA is the promise to set up a $20m fund for professional players for the 2026-2029 period.

FIFA’s statement said: “The objective of the fund is to provide financial support to players who are unable to recover outstanding salaries due to financial difficulties faced by their clubs. The relevant regulations will be defined by FIFA in due course in consultation with the players’ unions.

“FIFA will establish a dedicated support mechanism for players’ unions subject to strict good governance criteria. This support will be aimed at developing players’ union activities within their respective national jurisdictions. Special focus will be given to programmes aimed at training and educating youth and professional players, as well as developing and growing women’s football.

“A working group involving FIFA and the players’ unions will be established to advance legal matters through regular meetings and continuous dialogue. The working group will cover topics such as the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, national dispute resolution chambers and minimum standards for player contracts.”

FIFPRO has been approached for comment.

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