FIFPRO Europe sets governance agenda at Prague General Assembly

FIFPRO Europe has brought 33 player unions to Prague alongside UEFA and other football stakeholders as the organisation looks to convert recent governance gains into stronger influence over decision-making, workplace standards and revenue-related discussions across the European game.The gathering positioned organised player representation as a core stakeholder in football’s policy debates, with delegates from European Leagues, the European Club Association, Football Supporters Europe and other partners also taking part in sessions.FIFPRO Europe General Secretary Joachim Walltin said: “The presence of so many stakeholders at this year’s General Assembly says a lot about the position FIFPRO Europe and its member unions have built within the game through trust, credibility and years of constructive engagement across European football.”The event was hosted by the Czech Association of Football Players and included FIFPRO president Sergio Marchi, with discussions spanning governance, player representation, working conditions and player safety.Marketa Haindlova, chairwoman of the Czech Association of Football Players and a FIFPRO Europe board member, said: “Hosting the FIFPRO Europe General Assembly in Prague is an important moment for our union and for Czech football.“Bringing together unions and stakeholders from across Europe reflects the importance of collective dialogue, cooperation and strong player representation in shaping the future of the game.”FIFPRO Europe president David Terrier linked the organisation’s strategic direction to its place in UEFA structures, describing that access as a sign of shifting influence rather than a symbolic role.Terrier said: “Today, FIFPRO Europe is represented on the UEFA Executive Committee. That means the voice of players, organised and structured, is present at the highest level of decision-making in European football. This is not symbolic. It reflects a changing balance of power.”The Prague agenda also reflected wider industry pressure points that are increasingly commercial as well as sporting, including the distribution of revenues, the regulation of working conditions and the governance standards expected by sponsors, broadcasters and public authorities.FIFPRO said sessions addressed discrimination, abuse and player safety, and included discussion of safeguarding and workplace protections, alongside a presentation of the organisation’s 2026–2029 strategy document and updates on the strategic landscape in men’s and women’s football.Former player and Norwegian Football Federation president Lise Klaveness participated in a panel focused on inclusive governance and player representation in decision-making structures, underlining how federations and player bodies are now being asked to align on governance outcomes.The presence of senior UEFA delegates, including Giorgio Marchetti and Nadine Kessler, also signalled the extent to which structured dialogue is now embedded in European football’s policy workflow, even when positions differ.Terrier framed the coming period as an execution phase where influence brings accountability, with unions expected to show that representation can produce practical reforms that protect players while supporting the game’s long-term sustainability.Terrier said: “They are a responsibility. They prove one simple thing: when we are united, we can change this industry. And therefore, we must continue to do so.”