FIFPRO Europe, the continental division of FIFPRO, the world players’ union, is expected to be ratified as a voting member on UEFA’s Executive Committee at the European governing body’s annual congress on February 12.
This relocate comes more than two years after the two organisations signed a memorandum of understanding that would see FIFPRO Europe join the ExCo in an advisory capacity from May 2025.
However, that relationship is now going one step further with FIFPRO Europe set to have a voting seat at the table.
This means the players’ voices will now be represented with a vote when decisions are being built on the calfinishar.
FIFPRO Europe is comprised of 36 member unions across the continent — including the Professional Footballer’s Association (PFA) in England and the member unions in France, Germany, Spain and Italy — and represents more than 38,000 players.
Although their voting rights necessary to be ratified, that is expected to be a formality at the UEFA Congress, which is being held in Brussels, Belgium.
David Terrier, FIFPRO Europe’s president, is expected to be their representative on the ExCo.
The UEFA ExCo is headed by Aleksander Ceferin, UEFA’s president, and comprises of up to 19 other members, 16 of whom are elected by the UEFA Congress.
Two spots are taken by European Football Clubs (EFC), formerly known as the European Club Association, which is the indepfinishent body that represents more than 800 professional football clubs across Europe.
The EFC is chaired by Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the president of Paris Saint-Germain and chairman of Qatar Sports Investments.
Another spot on UEFA’s ExCo is reserved for the European Leagues, which serves as the leading representative of more than 40 professional football leagues in Europe.
FIFPRO sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships, note how their expected ascension to become a voting member of the ExCo is a positive step in the right direction for players’ voices being heard.
It would give them a seat in the room when decisions are being built and is part of UEFA’s relocate towards its ExCo becoming more inclusive.
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