FIFA Won’t Intervene in MLS Labour Dispute

Should the looming labour dispute between MLS and the Players’ Union not be solved, FIFA, the sport’s world governing body, will not be intervening. Referring to itself in the third person, FIFA released a statement to the Associated Press confirming that someone had tried to involve them.

“FIFA can confirm it has received correspondence regarding a current issue involving the MLS and the MLS Players’ Union and their ongoing negotiations. FIFA understands that this domestic issue is being resolved in accordance with U.S. labor laws and does not involve the U.S. Soccer Federation. FIFA will not interfere in the process. We have been assured that FIFA’s regulations have been and will be respected,” the statement said.

Soccer’s international union FIFPro has accused MLS of violating FIFA regulations but FIFA has said it has been told the league is within its rules, and therefore has little reason to intervene. FIFPro said last week that MLS management is threatening to lock out players after the league’s five-year labour contract expires Jan. 31. MLS President Mark Abbott however has publicly disputed much of what FIFPro alleges, including the charge the league’s single-entity structure violates FIFA’s regulations.

Kansas City Wizards player representative Jimmy Conrad speaking at US national team practice in Carson, Calif, said “At the present moment, we’re being threatened with a lockout. Obviously, they’re putting pressure on us to agree to some terms we don’t want to agree to.”

His international coach Bob Bradley, who could well do without his key players being idle, while preparing for the World Cup in June, said he has developed contingency plans with the US Soccer Federation. The MLS season is slated to start March 25 when Philadelphia Union are to visit Seattle.

Conrad however doesn’t expect the dispute will reach the point of players going on strike.

“I don’t think they’ll let us play that card; I think they’ll beat us to the punch,” Conrad said. “From what I understand, a lockout would be in their best interests if we can’t come to terms. That way, they don’t have to pay us.”