David Aganzo launches rival AIF players’ union amid Fifa and Fifpro row
Former Fifpro president David Aganzo has launched a rival global players’ union in Madrid amid an escalating dispute between world governing body Fifa and the established players’ representative group.
The International Association of Footballers (AIF) was unveiled on Thursday with four founding unions.
It is being spearheaded by Aganzo, who currently heads the Spanish player union AFE.
He severed ties with Fifpro in February before announcing his intention to create a new worldwide representative body.
Growing tensions over player welfare
Relations between Fifa and Fifpro have been severely strained over the congested international football calendar.
The established union launched a legal complaint against the sport’s global governing body earlier in 2024.
They alleged that organisers failed to adequately consult players regarding the fixture schedule, thereby abusing a dominant position under competition law.
However, Aganzo was invited to a separate summit in Morocco last December where a consensus was reportedly reached on welfare issues.
Fifpro was excluded from that meeting and has refused to endorse the measures subsequently announced.
‘Footballers must make their own decisions’
Speaking at the launch in the Spanish capital, the AIF leader insisted his organisation would fight to give professionals a stronger voice.
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.
Fifpro condemns ‘speculative attempt’
Fifpro, which comprises 70 national unions globally, issued a fierce rebuttal on Thursday.
They accused the Spaniard of establishing the rival body purely 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 organisation further claimed that since departing, AFE has engaged with groups lacking democratic mandates or those previously expelled for mismanagement.
They firmly concluded that this fragmented approach to representation is not in the best interests of professional athletes.
Fifa formally acknowledged the creation of the AIF on Wednesday, reaffirming its commitment to open engagement with compliant stakeholders.
