FIFA and FIFPRO commit to reinforcing regional cooperation as part of new chapter of collective decision-making

FIFPRO and FIFA are working together to reinforce collaboration between their regional confederations and divisions as part of a new inclusive and progressive era of professional football governance.

Both organizations recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which centres around a global social dialogue platform involving FIFPRO, European Football Clubs and the World Leagues Association that will take joint decisions on regulatory matters including the transfer system, player welfare, and occupational health. 

Stephane Burchkalter, the general secretary of FIFPRO, and Mattias Grafstrom, the general secretary of FIFA, have written a joint letter to their organisations’ respective divisions* and confederations** to underline the importance of regional collaboration to bolster a culture of partnership, constructive dialogue, and collective decision-making. 

One of the key workstreams of the global social dialogue platform is to pursue inclusive stakeholder agreements on domestic transfer systems, and support social dialogue at national and regional levels. 

“This new relationship is not intended to remain limited to the global level,” FIFPRO’s Burchkalter and FIFA’s Grafstrom wrote in the joint letter. “Its success will ultimately also depend on our ability to translate this commitment into meaningful cooperation across the different levels and regions of football.”

As part of a productive partnership, UEFA and FIFPRO Europe have a MoU, and FIFPRO Europe president David Terrier is part of the UEFA executive committee. Similarly, CONMEBOL and FIFPRO South America have established an effective formal framework for cooperation benefitting professional football in that region.

Where there is not currently extensive cooperation between FIFA confederations and FIFPRO divisions at regional level, Burchkalter and Grafstrom called for the following actions:

• restarting or strengthening regular dialogue;
• identifying areas of common interest where cooperation can bring tangible benefits to players and the development of football;
• establishing an appropriate regional framework for joint discussions, genuine exchange and consensus among professional football stakeholders;
• exploring the development of a formal cooperation agreement or Memorandum of Understanding, as exists already in several continents, for instance.;
• developing joint initiatives around player health and welfare, employment and playing conditions, workload, the development of the men's and women's professional game, dispute resolution and social dialogue.

“At its heart, the MoU reflects a shared commitment to a culture of partnership, transparency, mutual recognition and shared responsibility,” FIFPRO’s Burchkalter and FIFA’s Grafstrom wrote in the letter. 

“We are convinced that stronger relations between confederations and player representatives can contribute to a more stable, credible and inclusive football environment, while ensuring that the voice and experience of professional players is appropriately reflected in the development of the game. 

“The commitment made at global level now provides us with an opportunity to build a stronger culture of dialogue and cooperation throughout the football pyramid.”

In the coming days, FIFPRO and FIFA will also write to selected national federations to encourage closer cooperation with FIFPRO-affiliated national player unions and associations, reinforcing the importance of collective decision-making on matters involving professional footballers at national level.

*    FIFPRO divisions: Africa, Asia/Oceania, Central & North America, Europe, South America. 

**    FIFA confederations: AFC, CAF, Concacaf, CONMEBOL, OFC, UEFA.