- The joint General Assembly of FIFPRO South America and FIFPRO Central and North America was held on 18-19 June in Cancun, Mexico
- Common objectives were developed on different issues affecting footballers in the region
- Sergio Marchi, President of FIFPRO and FIFPRO South America, led the meeting
The joint General Assembly of FIFPRO South America and FIFPRO Central and North America (CNA) was held on 18-19 June in Cancun, Mexico, with productive meetings to join ideas and efforts in defending the rights of footballers in the region.
Led by FIFPRO president Sergio Marchi, also president of FIFPRO South America, and hosted by Alvaro Ortiz Arellano, president of FIFPRO CNA, the assembly reflected the work to advance common goals and projects between the two American divisions.
During the two-day meeting, the 13 national unions present discussed a wide range of issues of importance to players in the region, such as competition schedules, physical and mental health, the structuring of employment contracts by country but negotiated jointly for the benefit of the collective, and issues specific to women's football, among other topics of interest.
"We have a very good organisation, we have done a lot of work in the last few months but there are many important challenges ahead to deal with industry stakeholders," said President Marchi.
"The great challenge ahead of us is to elevate our players; to give them the best possible tools in the context of the realities and issues of 21st century football. The serious difficulties in getting paid on time in many parts of the world, as well as the high workload our athletes are exposed to, are unheard."
Ortiz Arellano said: "I would like to extend my appreciation to all the countries gathered here. It is a pleasure for Mexico to be able to work together for the good of footballers throughout the region. What it is about is to add, to contribute, always thinking about the different contexts that exist and to find the best way to continue developing in each country and as FIFPRO CNA."
FIFPRO Secretary General Alex Phillips spoke on Thursday about the details of the new governance of the global players' union, which was implemented following the election of the current leadership at the 2024 General Assembly.
"This meeting is an essential collaborative exercise that strengthens our collective ability to respond to the challenges of a rapidly evolving industry," Phillips said.
"Although our objectives are global, we understand that domestic and regional realities require specific responses. This is why these spaces for dialogue are essential to adapt our strategies and continue to effectively protect the rights of footballers in each continent."
