FIFA president, Joseph S. Blatter and Philippe Piat, president of the organisation representing professional footballers’ unions around the world signed the memorandum.
“Economic and commercial forces, players’ agents, and in some cases governments in various parts of the world are trying to intervene in football and its governance. As a result, football has to defend its position and especially its most important protagonists, the players. Today’s signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with FIFPro is a milestone in our quest not only for a European or regional approach but also for worldwide solutions,” Blatter said.
FIFPro President Piat, whose organisation represents some 67,000 registered players in 44 countries worldwide, echoed these sentiments: “This is a historic agreement, primarily because the players are finally recognised as fully fledged constituents of the professional game, but also because it specifically establishes minimum contractual requirements that apply worldwide as well as tribunals with parity of representation, thus increasing the voice of national players’ organisations. Furthermore, it ensures greater legal security within the game, something that is essential if we are to safeguard the game’s longevity.”
