Players take on FIFA over 'abusing' their role as legal challenge launched over international calendar

A legal complaint has been filed against FIFA by the top European leagues and players' union, Fifpro.

39 leagues - including England's Premier League - are represented by the European Leagues with huge number of clubs across many countries part of the organisation. The BBC state those involved, along with the European branch of Fifpro, have claimed that world football's governing body has 'abused its role' under European competition law when it comes to international football.

The numbers of games for national teams like Scotland and England continues to grow with September, October and November alone boasting SIX Nations League outings for the two nations. At club level, those playing at the highest tier face more games in European competition with the Champions League and Europa League now featuring eight matches in the league phase, up from the six that took place in the traditional four team group format. That is on top of the domestic league and cup competitions.

Spain and Manchester City star Rodri - now out for the campaign due to a season-ending injury - recently revealed players were getting close to going on strike against the increase in games to the fixture schedule. Asked previously whether players will strike, the midfielder said: "I think we are close to that. If it keeps this way, it will be a moment that we have no other option, but let's see."

The 28-year-old played 63 times for club and country last season. Liverpool No1 Alisson, also sidelined currently with a hamstring injury, also complained over the lack of communication over the scheduling. He said: "Sometimes nobody asks the players what they think about adding more games. Maybe our opinion doesn't matter, but everybody knows what we think