ZURICH: FIFA has reacted against an attack on the over-stuffed international calendar by FIFPRO and European Leagues by denouncing “some European leagues [which] are acting with commercial interest, hypocrisy and without consideration for the rest of the world.”

President Gianni Infantino said: “The current calendar was unanimously approved by the FIFA Council, which is made up of representatives from all continents, including Europe, following a thorough and inclusive consultation, which included FIFPRO and league bodies.

“The FIFA calendar is the only instrument that guarantees that international football can continue to survive, coexist and prosper alongside national and continental club football. Some European leagues – which are themselves organisers and regulators of competitions – are acting with commercial interest, hypocrisy and without consideration for the rest of the world.”

He added: “These leagues apparently prefer a calendar full of friendlies and summer tours, which often involve extensive travel around the world.

“FIFA, on the contrary, must protect the general interests of world football, including the protection of players , everywhere and at all levels of the game.”

The world footballers’ union and the European Leagues, which represent more than 1,000 clubs in 33 countries across the continent, announced hours earlier that they have filed a joint complaint against FIFA with the European Commission for the “unilateral imposition” of the international match calendar.

They claimed: “The international match calendar is currently oversaturated and unsustainable for national leagues and for the health of players.

“The decisions taken by FIFA have favoured its own competitions and commercial interests. FIFA has systematically refused to include national leagues and players’ unions in the decision-making process.”

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