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Fifa

FIFPro withdraws transfer complaint after deal with Fifa

After ratifying a deal over transfer reforms with FIFA the players' union FIFPro is withdrawing its complaint to the European Commission.

AFP
FIFPro withdraws transfer complaint after deal with Fifa
@FIFPro

Players' union FIFPro is withdrawing its complaint to the European Commission after ratifying a deal over transfer reforms with Fifa, the two organisations announced.

Transfer system taskforce

Among the new measures is a commitment by world football's governing body Fifa to set up a taskforce to look into the transfer system after this summer's record-breaking window sparked renewed unease at FIFPro.

Another initiative is the streamlining of 'dispute resolutions' between players and clubs.

The deal is between the players union, Fifa, the European Clubs Association, and the World League Forum.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks at the 67th FIFA Congress in Manama, Bahrain May 11, 2017.
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks at the 67th FIFA Congress in Manama, Bahrain May 11, 2017.HAMAD I MOHAMMEDREUTERS

'FIFPro is pleased with the new spirit of cooperation shown by Fifa and its willingness to listen to the concerns of players,' said FIFPro president Philippe Piat. 'This mutual understanding has helped set in motion the biggest changes to football transfer rules since 2001,' he added.

'These rule changes will help protect the 60,000 players FIFPro represents against unfair treatment.'

Fifa/FIFPro cooperative approach

FIFA President Gianni Infantino commented: 'Today marks an important milestone in the improvement of the global governance of professional football.'

The joint FIFA/FIFPro statement concluded: 'As a consequence of these commitments and the implementation of today's agreement, FIFPro will withdraw the complaint against FIFA lodged with the European Commission in September 2015.'

Brazilian superstar Neymar shaking hands with Paris Saint Germain's Qatari president Nasser Al-Khelaifi after agreeing a five-year contract following his world record 222 million euro ($260 million) transfer from Barcelona to PSG.
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Brazilian superstar Neymar shaking hands with Paris Saint Germain's Qatari president Nasser Al-Khelaifi after agreeing a five-year contract following his world record 222 million euro ($260 million) transfer from Barcelona to PSG.LIONEL BONAVENTUREAFP

When FIFPro submitted its legal complaint to the European Commission, it argued the transfer system was anti-competitive, unjustified and illegal.

Neymar transfer tip of the madness

Neymar's record-breaking 222 million euro move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain was described at the time by the union as 'the latest example of how football is ever more the domain of a select group of rich, mostly European-based clubs'.

FIFPro said it had taken action to bring to an end 'transfer market madness for the good of the game, the players, the clubs and the fans'.