Ex-Uganda Cranes midfielder Yasser Mugerwa believes that the welfare of professional football players in Uganda could be destined to a better path following Fifa’s recent proposals.
Representing the Uganda Football Players’ Association (UFPA) together with Mubarak Tenywa, Mugerwa was part of the meeting on issues of players in Rabat, Morocco which had deliberations from Fifa president Gianni Infantino, Fifa Secretary General Mattias Grafström and other officials.
Fifa met with 30 players’ unions and agreed to the formalisation of the creation of the Fifa Professional Players Consultation Forum, which will centralize and push for interests of players across the world.
‘At Fifa, we remain committed to further enhancing player welfare and working conditions across the world by implementing concrete and meaningful measures with a view to improving football for the future,’ remarked Infantino.
‘This is evident through the substantial investment that Fifa will be making through the Fifa Fund for professional players, and through other opportunities to engage via the various Fifa bodies, as well as other important initiatives agreed at this initial Fifa Professional Players Consultation Forum gathering.’
As such, UFPA is projected to be a beneficiary of an investment of $20 million for the 2026-2029 period in the aforementioned Fifa Fund.
‘The meeting was important to me as its value was tied to facilitate communication, provide a platform for diverse perspectives, and lead to clear next steps and actions which I guess will help me as I try to help our players’ association,’ said Mugerwa who is currently unattached.
Currently, players in the top-tier leagues and some specific leagues and parts of the world are faced with tight schedules of matches, with some worried about their health, something clearly voiced by Manchester City midfielder Rodri last year.
Fifa, at the meeting in Rabat, was following up from the constructive exchanges in July in New York, USA at the closure of the Fifa Club World Cup.
Particular proposals were made in Rabat such as at least 72 hours of rest between matches and a rest period of at least 21 days between season ends.
The initiative further seeks to push for one rest day per week, and measures to consider long-haul intercontinental trips and climatic conditions.
At the meeting, some unions like the Players’ Voice Panel (PVP) set up with help of Fifa had former Liberia international and President George Weah amplify the fight against racism towards players in the game.
‘What I came here to do is for the world to know that there is no need for racism. We must enjoy the beautiful game, walk together in the stadium, sing together and when we are defeated, we try again. This is what the game is about – enjoy it,’ said the former striker Weah, who led Liberia between 2018 and 2024.
‘Racism is a disease. We cannot continue to condone racism in public spaces, most especially on the field where everybody is supposed to be working together, enjoying together, [so] have fun, enjoy the good of the game,’ added the former player of AS Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan.
Fifa and the players’ unions like PVP and UFPA are set to continue in the next months.
FIFA and OVER 30 PLAYERS’ UNIONS INITIATIVES
Player rest and recovery: At least 72 hours of rest between matches, holiday of at least 21 days between seasons, one rest day per week, measures to consider long-haul intercontinental trips and climatic conditions
Fifa Fund for Professional Players: $20 million for the 2026-2029 period for professional players who are unable to recover outstanding salaries due to financial difficulties faced by their clubs.
Representation of players’ unions in Fifa bodies: Players’ unions representatives will be included in a number of Fifa Committees to ensure the players’ voice is heard at the highest level.
Development support for players’ unions: Fifa to establish dedicated support mechanisms for players’ unions subject to strict good governance criteria with special focus on training and educating youth and professional players and developing women’s football.
Legal matters: A working group involving Fifa and the players’ unions will be established to advance legal matters through regular meetings and continuous dialogue issues like the Fifa Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, national dispute resolution chambers and minimum standards for player contracts.