Portuguese player union Sindicato dos Jogadores (SJPF) has provided support to dozens of players who in recent years were left stranded in Portugal as victims of human trafficking. These players arrived expecting to start or further develop their professional football careers, but were eventually cheated by people who had tempted them with false promises.

Portuguese player union SJPF has helped countless footballers after they were left stranded in Portugal. These players had hoped to start their career in European football but mostly experienced hardship and disappointment. Three cases illustrate the struggles that these aspiring footballers had to endure. 

FIFPRO continues underlining its support to athletes who wish to stand up for human rights, promote social justice and positive societal change at the Olympics, whether that may be on the pitch, during a ceremony, or wherever they may choose to do so.

FIFPRO is deeply concerned about the treatment of athletes in Belarus who are being targeted by authorities in a serious breach of human rights.

FIFPRO is alarmed that the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) is failing to provide independent and efficient arbitration for professional footballers in Kenya, thereby breaching their right to a fair hearing under article 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Making a living is difficult for professional women’s players in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Some try their luck in neighbouring Republic of the Congo but, according to the Union des Footballeurs du Congo (UFC), that is not without risks.

FIFPRO and Danish player union Spillerforeningen successfully fought against a Danish club systematically bringing in minor-aged Nigerian footballers as so-called students.

Football players from all backgrounds are concerned about human rights in Qatar ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and want to know how they can play an active role in bringing about lasting change in the host country.

With the World Cup approaching the climax of its group stages, the Council of Europe’s EPAS Forum on Sport and Human Rights took place in Strasbourg, France – focusing on issues pertaining to freedom of expression, as laid down in the European Convention on Human Rights.