Professional athlete status: World Leagues Association takes part in ILO work and welcomes outcome

Recognition of the right to collective bargaining, elimination of forced labour, elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation, ensuring a safe and healthy working environment: these are the fundamental principles underpinning the new global guidelines on labour rights for professional athletes, adopted during the International Labour Organization (ILO)’s "meeting of Experts" held in Geneva (Switzerland) from 02 to 06/03/2026, in which the World Leagues Association (WLA) took part, announced the body on 18/03/2026.


These guidelines, published by the ILO on 18/03/2026 (available to download, see below), "aim to promote fundamental principles and rights at work and to prevent and eliminate violence and harassment in professional sport".

"The World Leagues Association actively contributed to the discussions, representing the interests and perspectives of employers in professional football worldwide, within a delegation led by the International Organisation of Employers (IOE)," said the body chaired by Richard Masters, chief executive of the Premier League.

"The…