PARIS, October 30, 2024 - On the fitting occasion of the awards ceremony of the 2024 Ballon d’Or held in Paris on Monday, UEFA and FIFPRO Europe have signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking a significant step in boosting player representation and cooperation in the governance of European football.
Representing over 35,000 footballers through player unions across 36 UEFA Member Associations, FIFPRO Europe is the association which acts on behalf of professional football players at European level.
With this new partnership, FIFPRO Europe will for the first time take a seat within UEFA’s governance structures and, from May 2025, will be represented on the UEFA Executive Committee, initially in an advisory capacity. This will help ensure that players’ voices are directly heard at European football’s highest decision-making table, alongside those of national associations, leagues and clubs.
The MoU places a major focus on women’s football, as UEFA and FIFPRO Europe are looking to build on the growing momentum behind the women’s game. From bolstering development programmes to ensuring minimum standards, the growth and sustainability of women’s football have been positioned as top priorities.
Key decisions impacting player employment conditions or players’ workload in UEFA competitions will now be made only after extensive dialogue between the two organisations. This approach reflects a modern governance model that ensures player welfare is prioritised and that decisions are made collaboratively.
As a matter of priority, player health and safety will take centre stage. UEFA and FIFPRO Europe will work together on medical research, player education, and awareness-raising campaigns tackling scourges such as doping and discrimination.
Further areas of cooperation include enhancing social dialogue at both national and European levels, exploring joint commercial opportunities related to player data and intellectual property rights, as well as providing support for out-of-contract players.
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin commented: “This partnership represents a new era in our relationship with FIFPRO Europe. Players are at the heart of football, and their perspectives must shape the decisions taken. By inviting them to join the UEFA Executive Committee, we are creating a more inclusive future for the game, one in which the topic of player welfare will be at the forefront. This is about making tangible strides to ensure football continues to grow for everyone.”
FIFPRO Europe President David Terrier stated: “This agreement is a hugely positive milestone for professional players across Europe. With player representation now anchored at UEFA’s highest level, we are securing a stronger voice for players where it matters most. Our ongoing dialogue with UEFA is already yielding positive results, and this MoU will only strengthen our ability to shape a framework that will advance player welfare and ensure a healthier and more sustainable future for football, where the needs and rights of players shall always be at the forefront, both on and off the pitch.”
Lastly, this partnership reinforces UEFA’s role as the governing body of European football, with FIFPRO Europe supporting the key features of the football pyramid and UEFA’s club and national team competitions.
Looking ahead, UEFA will host the inaugural edition of the UEFA Professional Players Advisory Forum next month, a new player-specific platform for players, national unions and FIFPRO Europe representatives to engage directly with UEFA on key issues. This forum will complement the annual UEFA Convention on the Future of European Football, of which the next edition will take place on 4 and 5 December in Brussels.
A copy of the MoU can be accessed following this link.
