Sports
European Football Chiefs, FIFPRO Slam FIFA Over Schedule
European football chiefs and the global players’ union, FIFPRO, united on Monday to criticise FIFA over the global football calendar as they filed an antitrust complaint against the global football governing body.
FIFPRO and the European Leagues, which represents 37 domestic leagues, jointly filed the complaint at the European Commission in Brussels in which they argue global football’s governing body FIFA is abusing its right as both tournament organiser and regulator.
LaLiga president Javier Tebas said Monday has been “one of the most important days in football” and compared the case to that against the failed European Super League, while Premier League boss Richard Masters said in a statement that football has reached a “tipping point.”
LaLiga is not a member of the European Leagues but it is a part of Monday’s complaint.
FIFA declined to comment at this stage when approached by ESPN.
FIFPRO, the worldwide representative organisation for professional footballers, said it has tried to negotiate the issue with FIFA but said the governing body has “consistently refused” to consult them. It has also described FIFA’s intention to host its expanded Club World Cup competition in the United States this summer as a step too far.
However, a source told ESPN this summer’s competition is unlikely to be impacted given the short amount of time before it takes place.
“Today is one of the most important days in football,” Tebas said.
“For me, there’s been two historical days in football. One in 2019 when we stopped a reform of the Super League and today we’ve given a very important step in what we believe is the path of changing the governance of football institutions and we’re not going to let this opportunity get away.”
Player workload been a hot topic in football over recent seasons, with players and coaches repeatedly urging organisers to condense the schedule and allow players more rest. Last month, Manchester City midfielder Rodri said players are “close” to going on strike over the issue.
“It is getting to a tipping point,” Masters said in a statement.
“The feedback we have from players is that there is too much football being played and there is constant expansion. The Premier League hasn’t changed shape. What has changed over the last few decades is the march of international and regional football competitions.”
Serie A chief executive Luigi De Siervo said: “Serie A, like almost all other European Leagues, in the last 20 years hasn’t increased the number of games.
“On the contrary FIFA and UEFA, cycle after cycle, have increased constantly the size of their competitions for both clubs and national teams and we have now reached a saturation point in the calendar.”
FIFA argues that its most recent calendar, set through to 2030, was approved by its council which “included FIFPRO and league bodies.”
It said in July, when the antitrust complaint was first announced: “FIFA’s calendar is the only instrument ensuring that international football can continue to survive, co-exist, and prosper alongside domestic and continental club football.”
A source told ESPN that FIFA believes the Club World Cup will have a minimal impact on the football calendar or on player welfare, given it will be held once every four years, featuring a maximum of seven games.
A recent analysis published by Opta shows that, while City played the most games last season (59), the majority of teams in Europe played fewer than 50 matches, with five Premier League sides playing 42 games last season — just four more than the league season.
Another recent paper by CIES Football Observatory found there is only a minor difference in the number of games players play per season compared to previous decades.
However, FIFPRO said their research shows 72% of players are in support of reducing the calendar and ensuring a mandate rest period, as well as data that says 17% of players made over 55 appearances last season and 30% had a sequence of six “back-to-back” matches.
FIFPRO and the European Leagues argue that FIFA is abusing its status as a governing body and tournament organiser, saying the body favours its own competitions rather than looking out for player welfare.
“Enough is enough, we can’t take it anymore,” Mathieu Moreuil, Premier League director of international football relations and EU affairs, said.
“We have now an international match calendar which is beyond saturation… We’ve tried to engage with FIFA on that for years now without any positive response. So enough is enough.”
The antitrust complaint is not the only case against FIFA regarding the international match calendar. Domestic players unions in England, France and Italy took legal action against the governing body at the Brussels Court of Commerce in June and they are attempting to have the case tried at the European Court of Justice.
That case centres on employment law and players’ rights to holiday. One of their aims is to have a mandated rest period — between three to four weeks per year — for players to recuperate.
European governing body UEFA has also increased its schedule, notably with the new Champions League and Europa League formats, but has not been targeted in the complaint to regulators.
Moreuil said that was because FIFA was responsible for the international calendar and relations were different with UEFA thanks to dialogue.
By Francesca Hangeior
Brazilian winger Raphinha has revealed that he was on the verge of accepting a call-up to play for the Italian national team before ultimately representing Brazil.
Speaking to journalist Isabela Pagliari and posted on Monday, Raphinha admitted he was close to joining Italy’s Euro 2020-winning squad.
“I was close to accepting the Italian national team call!” he said. “I was supposed to go to the Euro they won in 2020. I was basically set to go. So luckily, since the passport didn’t come through.”
The Barcelona forward explained that he was being actively pursued by the Italian setup at the time.
“At that point, the people from the Italian national team were calling me. Jorginho used to call me all the time. The Italian staff had this amazing project for me, something that really caught my eye,” he added.
Despite the strong interest and the prospect of joining a major European tournament, Raphinha said he held onto a small hope of playing for his country of birth.
“But at the same time, deep down, I still had that one per cent of hope that I could wear the Brazil shirt. And luckily, my Italian passport didn’t get ready in time!” he said.
Raphinha has since gone on to feature for Brazil at the international level, fulfilling the dream he nearly missed out on.
Kane, who had never previously won silverware, was among a group of Bayern players who gathered to watch the Leverkusen game in Munich on Sunday.
Bayern Munich’s English forward #09 Harry Kane celebrates scoring the 2-1 goal with his team-mates during the German first division Bundesliga football match between FC Bayern Munich and Borussia Moenchengladbach in Munich on February 3, 2024.
Bayern Munich were crowned German champions for the 34th time on Sunday, giving striker Harry Kane his first major trophy, after second-placed Bayer Leverkusen drew 2-2 at Freiburg.
Bayern’s 3-3 draw at RB Leipzig on Saturday, when the Bavarians came from two goals down to take the lead before conceding a stoppage-time equaliser, meant defending Bundesliga champions Leverkusen needed to win at Freiburg to delay the title party.
Leverkusen were two goals down before scoring twice in the last 10 minutes.
But Xabi Alonso’s side could not find a third, as Bayern reclaimed the title at the first attempt after Leverkusen ended their 11-year reign last season.
Alonso, who won three Bundesliga titles as a player with Bayern, congratulated his former club.
“Congratulations to Bayern. It’s a deserved championship. They were more consistent team over the season and they deserve the shield,” Alonso said to DAZN.
We are the Champions!! pic.twitter.com/YYHC7k6ldU
— Harry Kane (@HKane) May 4, 2025
Kane, who had never previously won silverware, was among a group of Bayern players who gathered to watch the Leverkusen game in Munich on Sunday.
The England captain was suspended for the match at Leipzig but will return this Saturday against Borussia Mönchengladbach at home, where Bayern will be presented with the Bundesliga shield at full-time.
Given Bayern’s far superior goal difference, Leverkusen’s chances of defending their title were already all but impossible.
Freiburg’s Maximilian Eggestein hit a stunning goal from outside the box before half-time and Piero Hincapie was pressured into scoring an own goal just after the break.
Florian Wirtz netted a spectacular solo goal with eight minutes remaining, carving through the middle of the field before firing the ball in off the post.
Jonathan Tah headed Leverkusen level in stoppage time, but the visitors were unable to find the third goal which would have extended their spell as champions.
The result left Leverkusen, who became the first team in history to win the title unbeaten last season, eight points behind Bayern with two games remaining .
Brought it home. For the club, for the fans, for the city.
With the faint title hopes gone, Leverkusen’s focus will turn to keeping hold of Alonso and Wirtz, who could both be headed for the exit in summer.
Alonso has a contract at Leverkusen until 2026 but has been heavily linked with Real Madrid, where he spent five seasons as a player.
Wirtz’s deal expires in 2027 but the Germany midfielder is reportedly considering a big-money move to Bayern.
Tah, who has already confirmed he will leave the club on a free transfer after a decade in Leverkusen, said his side had “too little intensity, we had too few runs in behind. It didn’t work today.”
The Germany centre-back has been linked with moves to Barcelona and Bayern, but said “we’ll see” where he plays next season.
The late goal meant Leverkusen extended their unbeaten streak away from home to 33 games, equalling a Bundesliga record set by Bayern.
The draw keeps Freiburg in fourth, one point clear of Borussia Dortmund, in the final Champions League spot. Freiburg have never played in Europe’s top competition.
Earlier on Sunday, Holstein Kiel won 3-1 at Augsburg, keeping their hopes of beating the drop alive.
Kiel won thanks to a double from Alexander Bernhardsson and a Shuto Machino penalty and are now one point behind Heidenheim in the relegation play-off spot.
In Sunday’s late game, Eintracht Frankfurt can take a major step towards a top-four spot and Champions League qualification with a win at local rivals Mainz.
AFP
Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen netted twice as Galatasaray cruised to a 4-1 victory over Sivasspor in the Turkish Süper Lig on Saturday.
This marks a historic milestone in his career.
The 26-year-old’s first goal of the game, a clinical finish in the 32nd minute, pushed his season tally to 32 goals across all competitions, surpassing his previous record of 31 goals during his standout 2022/23 campaign with Napoli.
Osimhen added his second in the 31st minute, taking his total to 33 goals for the season, reinforcing his status as one of Europe’s most prolific forwards.
Speaking after the game, Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk praised the striker’s impact.
“Victor is a rare talent. He not only scores goals but also inspires the team with his work ethic and determination.
“We are fortunate to have him,” Buruk said during the post-match conference.
Since joining Galatasaray on loan from Napoli, Osimhen has been pivotal to the team’s success.
His 24 league goals have powered the Istanbul-based club to the top of the league standings, as they aim for a third consecutive Süper Lig title.
Reflecting on his record-breaking season, Osimhen expressed gratitude and ambition.
“Breaking my own record is special, but I’m more focused on helping the team win trophies. The support from my teammates and fans has been incredible,” he told NTV Spor.
PUNCH Online reports that the five goals thriller all happened in the first half with Osimhen netting in the 15th and 31st minutes.
Lucas Torreira and B.A Yilmaz are also on the score sheet for the home team, who are eight points ahead of Jose Mourinho’s 75 points with Fenerbahce with a game at hand.
According to multiple reports, this cements Osimhen’s place in Galatasaray’s history books as they continue their campaign for domestic and European glory.
As Galatasaray sets sights on their next fixtures, all eyes will be on Osimhen to see how far he can stretch his remarkable goal-scoring run.
The match was played at the Ali Sami Yen Sports Complex RAMS Park with Ozan Ergün as the referee.
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