Note: LFP files a lawsuit against FIFA for changing the dates of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar

The Liga de Fútbol Profesional (LFP) has filed a lawsuit against FIFA before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for changing the dates of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Javier Tebas, its president, does it "in defense of the interests of the clubs, which are the ones that contribute internationals to the national teams." "Taking the World Cup to winter will cost us losses of 65 million euros", according to three different and independent expert reports that the LFP itself has submitted to the CAS.

Proposal by European Clubs Association and Association of European Football Leagues

Last December, in a joint decision, the European Clubs Association (ECA) and the Association of European Football Leagues (EPFL) proposed a World Cup between May 5 and June 4, dates that interfered less with the European calendar, but would be right after Ramadan in 2022 and coincide with the Arab festival Eid Al-Fitr. In March, FIFA announced that the 2022 World Cup would be held between November 20 and December 18 to "avoid high temperatures in the country during the spring and summer months". That decision "alters the schedule of the major European leagues and also the continental competitions", and that is why the Liga has filed the lawsuit before the CAS.

LFP and Support from Other European Leagues

The complaint has been filed by the LFP, and the other major European Leagues have not joined with their signature. The Premier League, the Bundesliga, and Serie A have supported Tebas' initiative "but only morally, then they have not dared to sign the agreements. There is still a lot of fear of FIFA", explains the president of La Liga, who justifies that "using legal channels when there is a difference of opinion is what civilized people do. No one should be scared to resort to a lawsuit in the rightful claim of their rights, but there is still fear".

Moral Support from French Professional League

The moral support for the LFP is evident in the statement made by Frédéric Thiriez, president of the French Professional League: "The LFP is willing to support all the legal proceedings that Leagues may carry out against FIFA. We must defend the interests of all clubs and not just those that provide players to national teams". And like him, many others in Europe, but only Tebas and the LFP of Spain have taken the step.

UEFA's Position

UEFA, on the other hand, has not come out in defense of the European Leagues. Despite the open confrontation between Platini and Blatter, the Frenchman is not in favor of going back. "The change is for the benefit of the players and the fans".

FIFA's Response

FIFA has reacted to the lawsuit filed by the LFP. Its still president (and whatever will be, will be) Joseph Blatter expressed his support for economic compensations to clubs after his general secretary, Jerome Valcke, added fuel to the fire by stating that "there will be no further compensation for the change. Why are we talking about compensation? Has it ever happened before? Why should we apologize to the clubs? We had an agreement with them, which they receive part of the profits. It was 40 million dollars (35.2 million euros) in 2010 and 70 (61.6) in 2014". But Blatter said shortly after that "the change will cause economic imbalances and clubs will be compensated for it".

Increased Compensation for Teams

One day after announcing the 2022 World Cup in winter, FIFA tripled the amounts that teams will receive for releasing players for the 2018 Russia and 2022 Qatar editions. FIFA will distribute 209 million dollars (nearly 200 million euros) among the teams of the European Clubs Association (ECA) that have representation in the next two World Cups. This amount triples the 70 million that were distributed in Brazil 2014.

Reasons for Blatter's Concession

Blatter conceded because European teams provided eighty percent of the players who participated in Brazil 2014, and that in Qatar 2022 the percentage will not be lower.