European Leagues group expands legal complaint against FIFA regarding women's football
6 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 8, 2026, 1:41 PM
Last updated Sep 8, 2026
The European Leagues umbrella group has expanded its legal complaint against FIFA to include allegations of abusive conduct toward the women's professional game. Originally filed with the European Commission in October 2024 to address the men's international match calendar, the complaint now encompasses the women's calendar and broader regulatory decisions. The organization contends that FIFA holds a conflict of interest by acting as both a governing body and a competition organizer, which allegedly favors its own commercial interests. According to the filing, these practices threaten the financial sustainability of professional leagues and the welfare of players. European Leagues represents 53 professional divisions, including the Premier League, and recently incorporated 14 women's leagues into its membership. FIFA maintains that its calendar was developed through extensive stakeholder consultation and has yet to formally respond to the expanded complaint.
- •European Leagues added women's football to an existing 2024 European Commission complaint against FIFA.
- •The complaint alleges FIFA abuses its dominant position to favor its own commercial interests.
- •European Leagues includes the Premier League, the WSL, and 51 other professional divisions.
- •FIFA claims its calendar framework was established following extensive consultation with league stakeholders.
- •Gianni Infantino is set to stand for re-election as FIFA president in March.
- 1:41 PMYahoo Sports — European soccer leagues body accuses FIFA of 'abusive conduct' over women's calendar
- 1:38 PMYahoo Sports — Fifa accused of ‘abusive conduct’ towards women’s football in legal complaint
- 1:33 PMYahoo Sports — Legal complaint against FIFA to cover impact on women’s schedule
- 1:30 PMYahoo Sports — Legal action against Fifa to include women's schedule
- 1:30 PMBBC Sport — Legal action against Fifa to include women's schedule
"A group representing many of Europe's major soccer leagues has accused FIFA of “abusive conduct” in how it runs the international calendar for women's competitions after filing an expanded complaint to the European Commission. The new intervention by European Leagues follows an earlier complaint it made in 2024 challenging the FIFA decision-making process which has led to expanded formats with more games in the men's World Cup and Club World Cup. “FIFA’s conduct threatens the growth and financial sustainability of women’s professional leagues, and risks player health and wellbeing,” European Leagues said in a statement, which didn't identify any specific FIFA decisions it was challenging.
"A legal complaint against FIFA has been extended to cover its “abusive conduct” towards the women’s game in Europe. The complaint by the European Leagues umbrella group, which includes the Premier League and Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) as members, was first lodged with the European Commission in October 2024.
"Legal action from the top European leagues and global players' union Fifpro against Fifa is extended to include the world governing body's "abusive conduct" towards the women's game.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 8, 2026, 1:41 PMEuropean soccer leagues body accuses FIFA of 'abusive conduct' over women's calendar
A group representing many of Europe's major soccer leagues has accused FIFA of “abusive conduct” in how it runs the international calendar for women's competitions after filing an expanded complaint to the European Commission. The new intervention by European Leagues follows an earlier complaint it made in 2024 challenging the FIFA decision-making process which has led to expanded formats with more games in the men's World Cup and Club World Cup. “FIFA’s conduct threatens the growth and financial sustainability of women’s professional leagues, and risks player health and wellbeing,” European Leagues said in a statement, which didn't identify any specific FIFA decisions it was challenging.
- Yahoo SportsSep 8, 2026, 1:38 PMFifa accused of ‘abusive conduct’ towards women’s football in legal complaint
The legal complaint was first lodged by European Leagues in October 2024
- Yahoo SportsSep 8, 2026, 1:33 PMLegal complaint against FIFA to cover impact on women’s schedule
A legal complaint against FIFA has been extended to cover its “abusive conduct” towards the women’s game in Europe. The complaint by the European Leagues umbrella group, which includes the Premier League and Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) as members, was first lodged with the European Commission in October 2024.
- Yahoo SportsSep 8, 2026, 1:30 PMLegal action against Fifa to include women's schedule
Legal action from the top European leagues and global players' union Fifpro against Fifa is extended to include the world governing body's "abusive conduct" towards the women's game.
- BBC SportSep 8, 2026, 1:30 PMLegal action against Fifa to include women's schedule
Legal action from the top European leagues and global players' union Fifpro against Fifa is extended to include the world governing body's "abusive conduct" towards the women's game.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
EPL•Sep 8, 2026, 3:18 PMInformation for supporters travelling to Stamford Bridge
EPL•Sep 8, 2026, 3:17 PMA new Kuwaiti influence in non-league football
EPL•Sep 8, 2026, 3:17 PMHaaland receives sixth Ballon d'Or nomination
EPL•Sep 8, 2026, 3:12 PMSheff Utd sign experienced forward Ayew
EPL•Sep 8, 2026, 3:05 PM40-goal Crystal Palace youth striker completes Arsenal transfer
EPL•Sep 8, 2026, 3:04 PMWhen is the Carabao Cup draw for the fourth round?