England Players WWC Huddle

Safe Working Environments

Everybody deserves a safe workplace

Players' needs are overlooked by an industry that grows more and more demanding, and this takes its toll on mental and physical wellbeing. Discrimination based on race, gender or sexual orientation, and abuses of power, happen in the professional game. Players should know of the existing structures through unions that are there to support them.

What you should know

A unique spotlight which can have negative consequences

Professional footballers do their job in front of crowds in stadiums and many more watching on screens. This is a unique position and that high profile can lead to abuse.

Football is not immune to negative work cultures

While the spotlight on players is something that few will ever experience, the issues they may face in their workplace environment are not unique – discrimination across many fronts can and does happen, and abuses of power within organisations can often have an adverse effect on a player’s career.

Human rights are for everyone

All professional footballers are human beings first and foremost – and are therefore entitled to the same rights as anyone else. These rights should not be jeopardised and abusive behaviour and malpractice cannot be justified simply as part of the industry.

Protect The Players

2023 Workplace Safety Report: The impact of violence towards footballers in their workplace

The report features the insights of more than two-thirds of the global FIFPRO membership and builds on previous publications focusing on other safety concerns in the workplace as well as research in domestic playing markets by player unions.

Workplace Safety Report