The dispute over the increasing number of professional soccer matches is entering the next round. European leagues and player representatives are now filing a complaint with a powerful European institution.

The European Leagues association and the players’ union Fifpro have lodged an official complaint with the EU Commission about, among other things, the Club World Cup expanded by FIFA. Too many games are putting the health of professional footballers at risk and threatening important national competitions, the two organizations said. They said they had tried to discuss the issues with FIFA, but the world governing body had refused to listen. FIFA has abused its powerful position, according to Fifpro and the European Leagues.

The world governing body had already firmly rejected the accusations in the past. “The current calendar was unanimously approved by the FIFA Council, which is made up of representatives from all continents, including Europe, after extensive and comprehensive consultation, which also included Fifpro and league bodies,” it said in a response to the announcement in June.

Unlike “some leagues in Europe,” FIFA must protect the overall interests. This includes “the protection of players at all levels.”

A spokeswoman for the EU Commission said that the complaint had been received and would be examined. The Commission did not say how long this would take. There is no deadline by which a decision must be made. The complainants also did not express any expectations as to how long the process would take.

“We can’t take it anymore” The background to the conflict is an increasing number of games at the highest levels of soccer. In the US, for example, a total of 32 clubs, including FC Bayern and Borussia Dortmund, will compete for the title in the Club World Cup in 2025. Until now, the Club World Cup has been organized as a mini-tournament with seven teams at the end or beginning of the year. Additional games are also expected to generate additional revenue.

More games are also coming about because many matches are being added to the reformed European Cup of the European Football Union UEFA, with 189 games to be played in the Champions League alone, 64 more than last season. “Enough is enough, we can’t take it anymore,” said Mathieu Moreuil of the English Premier League, referring to the general situation.

Leagues and unions hope for more say Specifically, the union and leagues criticize FIFA for having a monopoly on regulatory issues and exploiting this position of power. FIFA could and has made unilateral decisions on the international match calendar without asking the national leagues for their opinion. FIFA’s behavior is a textbook example of abusive conduct, said lawyer Alfonso Lamadrid.

When the complaint was presented, it was also stated that the aim was not to get money from FIFA, but to improve the decision-making process. The association’s rules must comply with EU law. If the Commission considers the complaint to be justified, it can oblige FIFA to take remedial action.