AIFF initiates for a separate footballers’ union! Receives wrath from the world body
The AIFF has initiated for the build-up a separate Football Players’ Association! But this move faces criticism from the the world body of Professional Footballers’ Union, FIPRO. FIPRO is concerned with the attempt to control players rather than allow genuine independent representation. The organization expressed deep concern on Sunday about the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) initiative to introduce its own footballers’ association. Last week, the AIFF opened registrations to form its own National Players’ Association (NPA), which included a set of criteria for interested applicants, including playing the sport at an elite level in the country. The NPA is an independent body represented by football players. Despite being an independent body, the NPA will not have a separate identity according to the AIFF Constitution’s Schedule IV, Article 1.4. And therefore, the body will not have the authority to act on behalf of AIFF or to represent it to any third parties. The most interesting part of AIFF’s initiative is that NPA will not have any authority to legally bind or commit AIFF in any way. The AIFF said elections for the office bearers of the NPA board will be conducted by the federation’s election committee. FIFPRO is deeply concerned by the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) decision to start a process to create a players’ association under its own control. This is an attempt to bypass the Football Players’ Association of India (FPAI), the legitimate representative body of professional footballers in India,” FIFPRO said in a statement. “A players’ association effectively controlled by the federation would deprive players of an independent union, as well as meaningful influence and collective bargaining power, all of which are fundamental to effective worker representation under International Labour Organisation standards,” the Body added. “All top professional football leagues around the world have independent player unions. Regrettably, AIFF is following a broader and increasingly visible tactic in football governance, whereby so-called “yellow unions” are created to weaken, bypass, or delegitimise genuine and independent player representation.” FIFPRO also stated that it had already reached out to AIFF, FIFA, and AFC via a letter in October, addressing the issues plaguing Indian football. FIFPRO emphasized that authorities must respect international labour standards, democratic principles, and the right of Indian professional footballers to be represented by an independent, player-led union, highlighting their belief that AIFF’s move undermines these rights.
