The concentration of wealth within football is leaving smaller clubs and leagues at risk, potentially affecting thousands of players and millions of fans, according to international professional footballers' union FIFPro. In a report released on Tuesday, the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFSHS) said that in 2015 there were more than 100 million people playing football, with an average age of 27. “We are strongly opposed to the prospect of these freedoms being limited as a consequence of a fight between competition organisers.” Any players participating in breakaway leagues would be banned from playing for their national teams, said FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
The concentration of wealth within football is leaving smaller clubs and leagues at risk, potentially affecting thousands of players and millions of fans, according to international professional footballers' union FIFPro. In a report released on Tuesday, the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFSHS) said that in 2015 there were more than 100 million people playing football, with an average age of 27. Any players participating in breakaway leagues would be banned from playing for their national teams, said FIFA president Gianni Infantino.