Uzbekistan has become a full member of the International Federation of Professional Footballers’ Associations (FIFPRO). Kamoliddin Murzoev, the chairman of the Footballers’ Union of Uzbekistan, explained to Kursiv Uzbekistan the opportunities that membership in this organisation opens up.
Uzbekistan’s membership in FIFPRO: How it all began
According to Murzoev, the Footballers’ Union of Uzbekistan joined FIFPRO as an observer in 2017.
In 2021, the Union officially applied for full membership in FIFPRO. By November 2024, the organization’s General Assembly approved Uzbekistan as a full member.
FIFPRO unites players from 70 countries and is the only organisation recognized by FIFA as the official representative of footballers worldwide. It advocates for the labor rights of over 60,000 athletes.
One of the key benefits of FIFPRO membership is enhanced communication with footballers’ unions from other countries.
“Thanks to FIFPRO, we can effectively advocate for the interests of our footballers globally, including ensuring their safety regarding contractual obligations,” emphasised Murzoev.
Uzbekistan has also gained the privilege of using the FIFPRO brand and the organization’s logo.
Union to rotecting the rights of Uzbek football players
The first significant effort to advocate for the rights of Uzbeks occurred in 2018, a year after gaining observer status. At that time, the organization successfully addressed a controversial situation involving Bakhodir Pardaev in the South Korean League, as noted by Murzoev.
“Our footballers face contentious issues concerning their image rights, particularly in video games, especially with companies like Konami and EA Sports. We plan to resolve these issues with the assistance of FIFPRO,” he emphasized.
So far, the topic of image rights remains unresolved.
For clarification, image rights in sports can encompass a wide range of personal attributes, including name, nickname, likeness, photographs, autographs, initials, physical characteristics, voice, and other identifying features.
