Premier League 'suing FIFA' as Jurgen Klopp warning finally taken on board

One of the many things which Liverpool supporters love about Jurgen Klopp is his willingness to say what he thinks. He might not have enjoyed doing as many press conferences as he did, but he usually delivered a good line at least once in each one.

The former Reds boss also has a knack of seeing his comments which were initially deemed controversial proving correct in the long term. He was in favor of the Premier League allowing five substitutions when it was lagging behind most other top leagues, and that policy was eventually enforced.

Klopp has also spoken on many occasions about his fears for player welfare in respect of the ever-growing number of matches they are expected to play. Once again, governing bodies have caught up with the German’s line of thinking.

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The 57-year-old spoke about player burnout and the ever-expanding football calendar in January. “The people who decide about it don’t care about that,” Klopp said . “I am 100 per cent sure there isn’t one guy deciding who can remember what it was like when he was a player — if he ever was a player. That’s how it is. I won’t be in there deciding and I won’t have the power for that. At some point in the future, someone will have to press the brake.”

The Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association appear to have taken Klopp ’s thoughts on board. They are suing FIFA alongside other leagues and unions over what it claims is abuse of its position.

They claim FIFA has been looking after its own interests at the expense of others. “FIFA’s decisions over the last years have repeatedly favoured its own competitions and commercial interests, neglected its responsibilities as a governing body, and harmed the economic interests of national leagues and the welfare of players,” read their statement (via This Is Anfield ).

“National leagues and player unions, which represent the interests of all clubs and all players at the national level, and regulate labour relations through collectively agreed solutions, cannot accept that global regulations are decided unilaterally,” it continued. “Legal action is now the only responsible step for European leagues and player unions to protect football, its ecosystem and its workforce from FIFA’s unilateral decisions.”

The governing body of world football has unsurprisingly defended its position. “The current calendar was unanimously approved by the FIFA Council, which is composed of representatives from all continents, including Europe, following a comprehensive and inclusive consultation, which included FIFPRO and league bodies,” a spokesperson said.

FIFA did not hold back in unleashing criticism of its own. “Some leagues in Europe – themselves competition organisers and regulators – are acting with commercial self-interest, hypocrisy, and without consideration to everyone else in the world. Those leagues apparently prefer a calendar filled with friendlies and summer tours, often involving extensive global travel.” Klopp will be pleased such issues are no longer his concern.

Liverpool.com says: This problem would have reached boiling point eventually whether Klopp had spoken out about it in the past or not. But in an industry when so many people are only interested in protecting their own interests, his willingness to speak for the greater good is to be commended.