Global Football Unions Demand Calendar Reduction and Fairer Revenue Share at Prague Summit

Football players' unions from around the world convened in Prague for a two-day summit led by FIFPRO World President Sergio Marchi. The meeting brought together representatives from 33 European unions, including delegates from major leagues in England, Italy, and France, alongside UEFA deputy general secretary Giorgio Marchett. The primary agenda focused on addressing critical issues affecting professional footballers, most notably the urgent need to reduce the congested international match calendar to prioritize players' physical and mental health. Participants also highlighted the necessity for a more equitable distribution of the industry's generated income, criticizing the current commercial exploitation of players' images and rights which often fails to benefit them financially. Additional key concerns raised included the lack of collective bargaining agreements in many European leagues, frequent contractual breaches, and unpaid salaries. The union leaders emphasized the disparity between wealthy leagues and those with fewer resources, calling for minimum guarantees and salaries for all professional footballers. The discussions underscored a growing collective effort to protect player welfare and ensure fair labor standards across the global football landscape.