Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, and U.S. President Donald Trump hold onto the FIFA Club World Cup trophy

FIFPro lash out at Infantino after Club World Cup

FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino have been accused of acting "without dialogue, without sensitivity and without respect" for players in their staging of the Club World Cup.

Soccer • 14 Jul

Following the European Court of Justice ruling, FIFA opened a "global dialogue" on Article 17 of its transfer rules

FIFPRO against FIFA's interim changes to transfer rules

The world players' union FIFPRO has disagreed with interim changes to transfer rules introduced by FIFA in the wake of the landmark Lassana Diarra judgement.

Soccer • 23 Dec 24

Spain internationals Mariona Caldentey (L) and Aitana Bonmati have had an unusually intense work load

Calls to address 'lopsided' growth in women's soccer

World players' union FIFPro is calling for new measures to protect athletes after its new study highlighted the effects of "disproportionate development" on women's football.

Soccer • 17 Dec 24

FIFA has been criticised for expanding the 2026 World Cup to 48 countries and next year's Club World Cup to 32 teams

European leagues/players to file EU case against FIFA

European Leagues and FIFPRO Europe will formally file a joint complaint about FIFA's international match calendar to EU antitrust regulators on Monday, the sports organisation and players' union have announced.

Soccer • 11 Oct 24

FIFPro not ruling out strike action on player workload

FIFA has been warned players will take "matters into their own hands" if nothing is done to address the growing demand on their workload, with players' union FIFPro suggesting strike action would not be out of the question.

Soccer • 30 May 24

FIFPRO wants to see concussion substitutes trialled at this summer's Women's World Cup

FIFPRO wants concussion subs at Women's World Cup

The world players' union is keen for temporary concussion substitutes to be trialled at this summer's Women's World Cup.

FIFA Women's World Cup • 11 Jan 23

Bruno Fernandes is among the players most at risk of burnout

FIFPRO wants more player care to avoid burnout

Compulsory breaks to prevent player burnout are urgently needed, world players' union FIFPRO has said.

Soccer • 05 Oct 21

Are elite players getting enough time to recover between games?

Players union calls for action to halt elite burnout

Top players in Europe are now playing up to 80 per cent of their minutes in the so-called 'critical zone' where they are more susceptible to injury, a new report has found.

Soccer • 06 May 21

FIFPRO is currently involved in a 10-year study which will track players from the latter part of their careers and on into the first years of retirement to look for neurocognitive, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal changes

FIFPRO: More evidence needed to make header changes

More "robust" evidence of a link between heading and dementia is required before football can introduce training restrictions at professional level, according to the medical chief of the world players' union.

Soccer • 18 Nov 20

Troy Deeney is 'a player who has very legitimate concerns and wants to protect his family', Baer-Hoffmann said

FIFPro chief defends players opposed to training return

The head of global players' union FIFPro has given his backing to footballers who do no want to return to training because of coronavirus fears.

Soccer • 20 May 20

Arsenal's Kim Little (holding trophy on right) won the Super League alongside Irish pair Louise Quinn and Katie McCabe last season

Women's football hit 'much harder' by pandemic - FIFPRO

The recent progress of women's professional football is at risk of being undone as the sport is brought to a standstill by the novel coronavirus, the players union FIFPRO said today.

Soccer • 17 Apr 20

Players Union opposition to proposed FIFA reforms

Proposed reforms to soccer's scandal-plagued governing body FIFA would leave power still in the hands of national associations and conferderations, shutting out players, fans and clubs, the world players' union said today.

Soccer • 03 Feb 16