FIFA Faces Legal Action Over ‘Abusive Conduct’ Towards Women’s Football

FIFA is facing fresh legal pressure after European Leagues expanded an existing complaint against the world football governing body to include its handling of women’s international football.

The organisation has extended its complaint to the European Commission, accusing FIFA of what it describes as “abusive conduct” in relation to the women’s international match calendar and other regulatory decisions affecting the women’s game.

European Leagues represents 53 professional divisions and more than 1,300 clubs across 34 countries. The organisation initially filed its complaint in October 2024, arguing that FIFA had abused its dominant position under European Union competition law through decisions concerning the international football calendar.

The latest expansion brings women’s football directly into the dispute, with European Leagues arguing that FIFA’s approach could harm the growth, financial sustainability and development of women’s professional leagues.

The organisation also raised concerns about player welfare, arguing that decisions on international competitions and scheduling could contribute to increasingly congested calendars and place additional demands on players.

European Leagues further questioned FIFA’s dual role as the sport’s global regulator and organiser of major competitions. It argued that the arrangement creates a potential conflict of interest because FIFA has both regulatory responsibilities and commercial interests in international competitions.

The organisation said European football leagues and clubs should have a meaningful role in decisions affecting the international calendar and the future structure of the women’s game.

The expanded complaint comes after 14 women’s leagues were added to European Leagues in June, including England’s Women’s Super League and the Scottish Women’s Premier League.

European Leagues is asking the European Commission to intervene and ensure that EU competition law is respected, while also preventing decisions concerning women’s professional football from being determined unilaterally.

FIFA has defended its approach to the women’s international calendar, saying the 2026–2029 calendar was unanimously approved following consultations with stakeholders from across the global game.

The new calendar reduces the number of international windows from six to five and includes plans for the inaugural Women’s Club World Cup, which has been scheduled to begin in January 2028.

European Leagues, however, remains concerned that FIFA’s competition plans could create further disruption for domestic leagues.

The latest legal complaint adds another layer to growing tensions between FIFA and European football organisations over governance, competition scheduling and commercial interests.

The dispute could now place greater scrutiny on FIFA’s role in shaping the future of women’s football and the balance between international competitions and domestic leagues.