Gianni Infantino says player welfare “remains a priority” for Fifa despite the top European leagues and players’ union Fifpro filing a legal complaint to the European Commission.
World football’s governing body has been accused of abusing a dominant position under EU competition law by failing to properly consult over the international fixture calendar, which included the introduction of a new 32-team Club World Cup next summer.
Unions and clubs said Fifa has harmed the economic interests of leagues and jeopardised player welfare through its “unilateral” approach.
Fifa chief Infantino posted a photo of himself on Instagram, external meeting David Aganzo, the president of the Spanish union AFE, in Miami.
Underneath it he wrote
“Fifa continues to work with player bodies to ensure player welfare remains a priority. I look forward to continue working with David and everyone at AFE to achieve this goal”.
World players’ union Fifpro declined to comment, but sources told the PA news agency that Aganzo’s meeting with Infantino was a personal one.
In September, Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri joined a growing chorus of voices in the game who suggested players were “close” to going on strike if their concerns on the congested calendar were not heard.