Africa-Press – Eritrea. Rabat made football history by hosting the first-ever FIFA Professional Players Forum, a landmark event that placed Morocco at the core of world football’s governance. Led by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Secretary General Mattias Grafström, the forum brought together 30 player unions from five continents, including icons like George Weah and several World Cup winners.
This meeting established a permanent Advisory Forum dedicated to protecting professional players’ rights and ensuring their active participation in FIFA’s decision-making structures.
Central to the discussions was player welfare. FIFA announced key measures such as 72 hours of rest between matches, 21 consecutive days off between seasons, one mandatory day off per week, and the consideration of travel and climate factors. These steps aim to balance performance with health and personal life. Infantino reaffirmed FIFA’s commitment to “concrete and meaningful measures” that improve players’ working conditions worldwide.
A financial and structural revolution
To complement these reforms, FIFA unveiled a $20 million Professional Players Fund for 2026–2029 to help players affected by unpaid wages. Union representatives will now sit on decision-making committees, and a new support mechanism will strengthen unions, youth development, and women’s football. A joint working group will address legal issues such as transfers, contracts, and disputes.
George Weah also gathered members of the Players’ Voice Panel (PVP) in Rabat to promote FIFA’s fight against racism, reminding that “racism is a disease” and that football must remain a space of unity. The event confirmed Morocco’s emergence as a global sports governance hub, marking its steady rise as a strategic platform for reform and dialogue in world football.
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