Press Release: Footballers and employers launch new EU forum for social dialogue

Organisations representing players, leagues and clubs from around the EU sat down together for the first time on 1 July, 2008, to discuss and tackle labour issues of common concern in the professional football sector. The new social dialogue committee – launched by Employment and Social Affairs Commissioner Vladimír Špidla and Education, Training, Culture and Youth Commissioner Ján Figeľ – brought together the International Federation of Professional Footballers' Associations-Division Europe (FIFPro) and the Association of European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL). The employers' side was complemented by the European Club Association (ECA). Given the specificity of sport governance, the social partners invited UEFA to chair their dialogue.