FIFPRO on the success of the ‘symbol’ while the European organization acknowledges the failures of the football calendar | Football News

The players’ union criticizes the French government’s failure to protect footballers from health and safety risks.

Footballers’ union FIFPRO has hailed a “significant victory” after Europe’s watchdog agreed to investigate France’s failure to meet professional standards.

The unanimous decision of the European Committee of Social Rights in March is the first time that the players’ union has advanced all their complaints under the European Social Charter. It paves the way for an investigation into whether France has failed to ensure a good working environment for professional players, including children.

FIFPRO described the cause of the dispute as France’s failure to protect footballers from health and safety risks caused by the international sporting calendar, which it says is controlled by FIFA’s multi-national decisions.

The launch of the revamped and expanded FIFA Club World Cup was met with criticism from across the sport when it took place last year.

The French government demanded that the case be dismissed, saying that any alleged violations were the responsibility of sports bodies, such as FIFA or the French Soccer Federation, and not the government.

The committee rejected that objection, affirming that national governments remain responsible for ensuring that the human rights of workers are respected in their territories, regardless of whether a private organization manages the business.

FIFPRO Europe, which is supporting the French National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP) in the case, said the decision was a “signal” for the industry.

It added that the complaint highlights how international governing bodies “often bypass national labor standards regarding periods of rest and collective bargaining.”

FIFPRO Europe has confirmed that it will provide full support to the UNFP in the upcoming proceedings and called on other European countries to hold football officials accountable for “systematic failures” which it said put commercial interests ahead of player safety.

“France is not alone: ​​many other countries are in a similar situation, with minimum standards for working time, rest time, health at work and negotiations that are undermined by the decisions taken around the world,” he said.