GENEVA (AP) — FIFA offered talks with global groups of soccer leagues and player unions to end a three-month deadlock after they threatened legal action over adding to the packed competitions calendar.
In a letter seen by The Associated Press, FIFA told the World Leagues Association and FIFPRO on Thursday “our offer to engage in dialogue remains on the table” amid a swirl of legal filings and threats in international soccer politics.
“FIFA believes there is a more productive way forward for football than the threat of legal action,” soccer’s world body said in a statement to the AP.
In May, the leagues and union said FIFA was “inherently abusive” for continuing to add games and competitions that forced their members to adapt.
FIFA has expanded the 2026 World Cup, hosted across North America, to 48 teams from 32, and added a 32-team Club World Cup that will also be played every four years. It launches next June in the United States.
Also in the coming season, UEFA is expanding its three season-long club competitions with extra teams and more games that squeeze domestic schedules.
The European groups of leagues and player unions also have targeted FIFA — but not UEFA — in a formal legal complaint to Brussels. That is being handled by the European Commission, the executive arm of the 27-nation European Union that can intervene on alleged breaches of competition law.
FIFPRO member unions in England and France also filed suit against FIFA at a commercial court in Brussels, seeking a referral to the European Court of Justice. That court in Luxembourg was critical of FIFA and UEFA last year in a ruling in the Super League case brought by some storied soccer clubs.
FIFA manages the calendar of international matches, which mandates when clubs must release players to national-team duty through 2030. The global groups of leagues and unions want talks on it reopened with them getting a greater say.
On Thursday, FIFA said it “serves and balances the overall interests of world football, including the protection of players.”
FIFPRO did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modrić, left, and Milan forward Luka Jović greet each other on the sidelines during the second half of a friendly soccer match Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus, right, celebrates after a goal during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Manchester United, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
FIFA President Gianni Infantino addresses the audience during the Sport for Sustainable Development Summit at the Paris Olympic games, Thursday, July 25 2024 at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris, France. (Andre Pain, Pool via AP)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Alex Call and Paul DeJong each had two hits and drove in a run and Trevor Williams struck out six over five innings as the Washington Nationals beat Arizona 5-4 Sunday and handed Diamondbacks ace Corbin Burnes his first loss.
Washington took two of three from Arizona, winning a series from the Diamondbacks for the first time since 2021. It was the Nationals’ first home series victory over Arizona since 2017.
Burnes (0-1) yielded four runs while throwing 89 pitches over five innings in his second start since signing a six-year, $210 million deal in January. He gave up Nathaniel Lowe’s RBI double and Call’s run-scoring single the first inning, CJ Abrams’ sacrifice fly in the second and Dejong’s two-out RBI double in the third as his ERA rose to 5.79.
Williams (1-0) allowed three runs and has pitched at least five innings in 14 of his 15 starts since joining the Nationals before last season.
Kyle Finnegan worked the ninth for his third save in as many attempts.
Jose Herrera homered in the second inning for Arizona, his second in 134 career games.
After the Diamondbacks’ Randal Grichuk got ahead 3-0, Finnegan ran the count full before inducing a game-ending, broken-bat grounder to shortstop that stranded Corbin Carroll at third base.
After going 1 for 25 in his first seven games this season, Washington rookie outfielder Dylan Crews was 2 for 4 with a run and a stolen base.
Arizona returns home Monday to begin a three-game series against Baltimore. RHP Zac Gallen (1-1, 3.38 ERA) starts for the Diamondbacks.
LHP MacKenzie Gore (0-1, 2.45) makes his third start of the season as Washington welcomes the Los Angeles Dodgers for the opener of a three-game series Monday.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Trevor Williams throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Corbin Burnes, right, talks with catcher Jose Herrera (11) during the second inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
The scoreboard at Nationals Park congratulates Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin for breaking the all-time NHL goals record at a baseball game between the Washington Nationals and the Arizona Diamondbacks, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Corbin Burnes throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Jose Herrera celebrates his home run as he rounds the bases during the second inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Trevor Williams throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Corbin Burnes throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Corbin Carroll runs towards third base on his triple during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Corbin Carroll slides into third base with a triple during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Trevor Williams throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Corbin Carroll, bottom, slides home to score on a sacrifice fly by Geraldo Perdomo against Washington Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz, top, during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
