New global union launched amid row between Fifa and Fifpro over player welfare

A new global union for footballers has been launched, pledging to "give a voice to footballers" amid an escalating dispute between the established players’ body Fifpro and Fifa. The International Association of Footballers (AIF) was unveiled in Madrid on Thursday, spearheaded by David Aganzo, the former president of Fifpro and current head of the Spanish player union AFE. Aganzo severed AFE’s ties with Fifpro in February, announcing his intention to create a new global representative body, which has now materialised with four founding unions.

The relationship between Fifpro and Fifa has been notably strained since the union initiated a legal complaint against the world governing body in 2024. Fifpro alleged that Fifa failed to adequately consult on the international fixture schedule, thereby abusing a dominant position under competition law. Aganzo, however, was invited to a Fifa meeting in Morocco last December, where it was claimed a "consensus" was reached on various player welfare issues.

Fifa were accused of failing to adequately consult with Fifpro over the international fixture schedule (Getty) Significantly, Fifpro was not extended an invitation to this meeting and has not endorsed the measures subsequently announced by Fifa. Speaking at the launch, Aganzo stated: "We have the strength to fight and give a voice to footballers. Founding this union was our duty because we are people with values.

The word ‘independence’ is fundamental for AIF, just as loyalty is key when negotiating. Footballers must make their own decisions, not accept unilateral ones. " In response, Fifpro, which is recognised as the global representative organisation for footballers and comprises 70 national unions, issued a statement on Thursday accusing Aganzo of establishing the rival body for "personal motives".