FIFPro Opinion
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European Professional Sportspeoples Forum
‘Sport activity is subject to the application of E.U. law’, is what the participants of the first European Professional Sportspeoples Forum stressed in their joint statement. FIFPro was one of the organizing unions.
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6+5 rule
FIFPro has some critical comments to make regarding the 6+5 rule. FIFPro is of the opinion that the sporting idea behind the proposal is a good one, but it doubts whether the 6+5 rule is feasible from a legal perspective.
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Agents
FIFPro has an extremely critical opinion about the practice of players’ agents in general. A number of those agents seems to place their own interests above those of the players they represent. FIFPro feels that it is time for a completely new approach.
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Artificial pitches
Over recent years, FIFPro has gauged the opinions of its members regarding artificial pitches. Our surveys have shown that the majority of professional players throughout the world are still opposed to playing official matches on artificial pitches.
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Doping
FIFPro is of course opposed to doping in football. However, in practice it proves that doping cases are rare in football. FIFPro is opposed to the ‘whereabouts’ system which is disproportional in relation to its aims.
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Home-grown rule
FIFPro is extremely critical of the home-grown rule. The World Players’ Union appreciates the sporting objectives of this UEFA rule, but has a number of legal and practical objections to it.
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Lisbon Treaty and Social Dialogue
On the 1st of December 2009 the Lisbon Treaty came into effect providing a legal basis for sports in the EU territory. What does this mean for professional sports, especially for football?
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Protection of minors
FIFPro advocates the protection of minors. In particular, the monitoring of international transfers involving players below the age of 18 is an absolute necessity in order to combat exploitation and the trafficking of these young players.
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Respect of contracts
FIFPro is extremely concerned about the large number of players who are not receiving their salary, even though that salary is stipulated in a contract. The World Players’ Union requires that contracts be respected.
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Unilateral options
FIFPro is opposed all unilateral options in football contracts. The World Players’ Union points to the fact that the existing FIFA regulations offer adequate possibilities for establishing a contract between a club and a player.