FIFA: a task force led by Arsène Wenger to examine the welfare of male & female players

Reflecting on the well-being of players "to promote further global dialogue on welfare matters with key stakeholders from across football" is the objective assigned to the Task Force on Player Welfare set up by FIFA and headed by Arsène Wenger (FRA), chief of global football development, announced the International Federation on 28/10/2024.

The task force, set up "following a unanimous vote by the FIFA Council", will bring together "representatives from member associations, confederations, FIFPRO, the European Club Association (ECA) and the World Leagues Association," according to FIFA, which added that the initiative was in line with the new FIFA Statutes, which came into force in July 2024 (document available to download from the FIFA Legal Handbook).

The creation of this structure appears to be a response to the criticism voiced by players' unions against the overloading of the international calendar and to the complaint lodged by FIFPRO Europe, European Leagues and LALIGA against FIFA on 14/10/2024 (see below).

"The objective of the task force is to examine how suitable and…