04/23/26 10:03:00
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04/23 06:00 CDT A new players' group launches to try to challenge FIFPRO's
global union role
A new players' group launches to try to challenge FIFPRO's global union role
By TALES AZZONI
AP Sports Writer
MADRID (AP) --- A new international group representing soccer players launched
on Thursday as a rival to long established global union FIFPRO, which has been
in dispute with FIFA.
The Association of International Footballers (AIF) was founded in Madrid by
David Aganzo, president of the new group that claims it will represent nearly
30,000 players. Aganzo also leads the players' association in Spain (AFE) and
was ousted as FIFPRO president in 2024.
Aganzo and other officials twice last year met with FIFA President Gianni
Infantino in what was widely seen as a challenge by the world soccer body to
Netherlands-based FIFPRO's mandate to represent players worldwide.
FIFA is the subject of a formal complaint made 18 months ago to the European
Commission in Brussels by FIFPRO's European division and the European Leagues
group. The filing challenges the quality of FIFA's governance and consultation
with stakeholders.
FIFA said on Thursday it was made aware of the creation of AIF and remained
"committed to open and constructive engagement with football stakeholders that
uphold core principles, including representativeness."
FIFPRO criticized the new group.
"FIFPRO recognises the strong work over several decades of AFE for men's
football players in Spain," it said in a statement. "However, the concept
announced in Madrid by its current president appears nothing more than a
speculative attempt to boost his own standing through a group which lacks the
fundamental legitimacy to represent professional footballers globally."
FIFPRO said the new concept was "driven by personal motives rather than a
mandate from players around the world."
Aganzo said the new model for a players' union was needed in part because
players' voices were not being heard through FIFPRO. The new group said women's
players also needed stronger representation.
"Soccer players need a stronger voice," Aganzo said. "They don't have the
possibility to make decisions. AIF has been created to fight for them."
FIFPRO said Aganzo "has engaged with groups that fail to meet basic standards
of player representation," which it said must "be responsible and sustainable,
built from the players up, through collective structures that ensure
independence, legitimacy and accountability."
"Such an approach to player representation is not in the best interests of
professional footballers."
FIFPRO claims its role is based on a mandate from 70 national player
associations representing more than 60,000 footballers and is formally
recognised by the European Union and international football governing bodies
and stakeholders.
AIF will be governed by members from unions in Spain, Brazil, Mexico and
Switzerland.
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