now 04.07 EDT PFA refuses to drop legal case against Fifa Matt Hughes An important story here from Matt Hughes. The Professional Footballers’ Association is refusing to drop its legal case against Fifa despite the global players’ union Fifpro withdrawing its claim against the governing body this week. Gianni Infantino announced in a surprise move at his pre-World Cup press conference that Fifa had signed a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Fifpro. It gives Fifpro a seat at the negotiating table with Fifa and a right of veto over issues relating to changes to the transfer system and player welfare. In return Fifpro has withdrawn its legal complaints, most notably a claim first lodged at the European Commission two years ago which accused Fifa of abusing its dominant position and violating European Union law. The Guardian has learned, however, that the PFA is not entirely satisfied with the MOU as it stands, and is not prepared to withdraw its legal claim until it receives concrete details from Fifa on its plans for the global calendar after 2030. In addition to the European Commission case the PFA has a claim against Fifa in the Brussels Court of Commerce. The post-2030 calendar is the next major issue facing football after the World Cup, although Fifa appears intent on parking detailed discussions with stakeholders until after its presidential elections next year, when Infantino will seek another four-year term. The PFA is particularly concerned about Fifa’s desire to expand the Club World Cup to 48 teams and the disruption that will be caused by staging the 2034 Saudi Arabia World Cup in the European winter. The impact is likely to be felt disproportionately by PFA members, because the Premier League schedule is generally regarded as being the most demanding. “We have achieved some big wins, but at the same time cannot cave in on such important matters as the calendar,” a PFA source said. “The MOU is significant and brings important governance changes, but we need a solution on the calendar too before we can drop our claim.” Share