FIFPRO
FIFPRO
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18/09/2025

People of the Union puts the spotlight on individuals across FIFPRO’s member associations who are dedicated to improving the wellbeing of professional footballers.

Luis Garcia, general secretary of the Colombian Association of Professional Footballers (ACOLFUTPRO), talks about players needing to be in the conversation when it comes to television rights in Colombia and his pride in being part of FIFPRO.

FIFPRO: Tell us about yourself: what’s your current role and what’s your background?  

Luis Garcia: I am in charge of finances and all organisational matters for the Colombian player union. In terms of my background, I was a professional footballer for 15 years, I studied sports management for six semesters and I am a professional trade unionist.

What do you like most about your work within the union?

That footballers have better conditions every day and earn more money. I like that footballers' rights established by law are respected and that the situation and life of footballers is improving every day.

What issue affecting player welfare are you most passionate about? 

The issue of television rights. It is unacceptable that footballers in Colombia do not receive a share of television rights. Considering that they are the main actors, that they are the ones who appear on television, that it is because of them that television contracts are made. So, we are in a very strong fight with the Dimayor League and we hope that we can achieve this. I also like footballers to be paid their salaries on time and in full. When a footballer is not paid their salary, something inside me kicks in and I do everything I can to ensure that they get paid.

Can you share with us one of the achievements you are most proud of in your work as a union representative?

Yes, the collective agreement we signed with the Dimayor League on the competition calendar, rest periods between matches, competitions in high temperatures, and the Women's League. I think that has been our greatest achievement.

Luis Garcia Colombia
Luis Garcia (right) presents an award to goalkeeper Sebastian Viera

If you could change something in football, what would it be?

I think footballers should have a say in the rules of football, in refereeing committees and also, without fail, in the federations. Likewise, FIFA should regulate the issue of holidays, rest periods and salaries through a collective agreement.

Is there anyone in the trade union world or in sport in general who inspires you?

In the trade union world, I think Theo van Seggelen has been an inspiration because he was the one who changed the face of FIFPRO and always fought for footballers.

What is your fondest sporting memory?

Winning the Colombian championship in 2001 with America de Cali in Colombia.

Gala Premios Acolfutpro 2024 Junto A Carlos Gonza Lez Y Leonardo Castro Futbolista 1
Luis Garcia (right), alongside Carlos Gonzalez Puche (centre), executive director of ACOLFUTPRO, and footballer Leonardo Castro, at the ACOLFUTPRO Awards 2024 gala

What motivates you on a daily basis?

That footballers are well, that they have everything they need, that they have better living conditions. That they have a great quality of life.

FIFPRO will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2025. What does it mean to be part of a global union?

I am proud to be part of FIFPRO, such a representative organisation that has given us a helping hand, opened doors for us and with which we have a very good relationship.

Looking ahead, how do you hope unions will come together more to shape the future of football for players?

We need FIFPRO to present a list of demands, to file those demands with FIFA so that we can negotiate a collective agreement with minimum working and economic conditions for footballers.