FIFPRO approves governance upgrades following Oliver Wyman review

FIFPRO’s member player unions have approved a new governance model to enhance the global representation of professional footballers.

Developed in conjunction with management consultancy Oliver Wyman, the governance upgrades include the strengthening of FIFPRO’s executive management team, a reduction in the size of the 18-person global board, and the introduction of a maximum of three term limits for global board members. The governance upgrades aim to make FIFPRO more agile to support and empower players around the world.

At an extraordinary general assembly, member unions approved the governance structure reforms and improvements by an overwhelming majority.

Headquartered in the Netherlands, FIFPRO is the exclusive global representative of professional footballers and its 66 affiliated national unions. The governing body represents more than 60,000 players.

Besides supporting national unions and players in hundreds of employment tribunal cases each year, FIFPRO is leading a series of international initiatives for footballers, such as protecting their personal data rights and, easing mounting match congestion.

As a result of FIFPRO’s significant growth in recent years, many member unions urged the global board to conduct a governance review. “It was evident that the institution clearly needed a change,” said Sergio Marchi of Argentinian player union FAA. “This change of structure and governance will bring more dynamism to the decisions, management and leadership of the organisation.”

Bob Foose, Executive Director of Major League Soccer Players Association, added: “For an organisation as old as FIFPRO [launched in the 1960’s], this review was necessary and inevitable. As a general matter, periodic strategic reviews are a very positive and productive thing for everybody. I am happy that we have taken this important step; we are on our way.”

As part of the transition to the new governance structure, the current board has agreed to step down to facilitate the process and will be substituted by an interim board until a 12-person board is elected at a General Assembly in November 2024.

Headquartered in New York, Oliver Wyman is a global strategy and management consulting firm. The review with FIFPRO was led by a team of consultants from its British and Dutch offices.