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.
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”.
“The concept announced in Madrid by its current president appears nothing more than a speculative attempt to boost his own standing through a group which lacks the fundamental legitimacy to represent professional footballers globally,” the statement read.
“The evidence shows his concept is driven by personal motives rather than a mandate from players around the world.”
Fifpro further claimed that since AFE’s departure, Aganzo had “engaged with groups that fail to meet basic standards of player representation including those lacking a democratic mandate from players; those closely linked to football governing bodies; and those that have been expelled from FIFPRO because of mismanagement.”
The union concluded that “such an approach to player representation is not in the best interests of professional footballers.”
Fifa, in a statement released on Wednesday regarding the new union, said: “Like others, Fifa has been made aware of the creation of AIF.
“As a general principle, Fifa remains committed to open and constructive engagement with football stakeholders that uphold core principles, including representativeness.”
