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Tribune News Network
Doha
The International Padel Federation (FIP), the governing body of padel, and the Professional Players Association (PPA), have filed a landmark case at the European Commission. The filing challenges World Padel Tour (WPT), and their owner, Estrella Damm, under infringement of European law for the closed “Super League” enforced on padel for the last decade.
The two infringements fall under Article 101, preventing, restricting, and distorting competition, and Article 102, abuse of dominant position. In short, the filings include accusations on how WPT illegally binds padel players into exclusive contracts, with no freedom to play outside of the tour (including the Olympics – the pinnacle of any sport), black-out non-paid periods, almost no prize money, and little decision-making powers.
Notably, with the case submitted on behalf of both 51 national federations and professional padel players worldwide, this is a historical first in the world of international sport.
This unprecedented legal action comes soon after FIP officially announced a new global padel tour, fully supported by the world’s leading players, represented by the PPA, with the first of 10 events confirmed to take place in Doha, Qatar, from 28 March.
Luigi Carraro, President of the International Padel Federation (FIP), said: “This legal action at the European Commission by the Federation and the Professional Players Association is unprecedented. It highlights in the clearest terms WPT’s abusive and exploitative monopoly regime, which has held padel players under its grip for years – insulting the professional athletes and stifling the global growth and ambition of the sport. The fact this action has been forced to be brought in the first place is a shocking indictment, in of itself. Private, closed, commercially-exploitative and unregulated leagues – that imprison the professional players – have absolutely no place in modern professional sport.”
The Board of Directors of the Professional Players Association (PPA), said: “The fact professional padel players have taken this case all the way to the European Commission – simply to defend their freedom to play padel – speaks volumes. For years under WPT and detached from the Federation, professional players have been treated as assets, not athletes – with many players barely able to cover their costs. It shouldn’t take the European Commission to free the players and the sport of padel from this sorry situation, but the players will take whatever action needed to defend their livelihoods and to develop a better future for padel.”
Over the coming weeks, FIP is expected to announce further details of the Official tour, including the tournament’s name, branding, and logo, all the highly anticipated locations, a major new international broadcaster partner, and much more.
Doha
The International Padel Federation (FIP), the governing body of padel, and the Professional Players Association (PPA), have filed a landmark case at the European Commission. The filing challenges World Padel Tour (WPT), and their owner, Estrella Damm, under infringement of European law for the closed “Super League” enforced on padel for the last decade.
The two infringements fall under Article 101, preventing, restricting, and distorting competition, and Article 102, abuse of dominant position. In short, the filings include accusations on how WPT illegally binds padel players into exclusive contracts, with no freedom to play outside of the tour (including the Olympics – the pinnacle of any sport), black-out non-paid periods, almost no prize money, and little decision-making powers.
Notably, with the case submitted on behalf of both 51 national federations and professional padel players worldwide, this is a historical first in the world of international sport.
This unprecedented legal action comes soon after FIP officially announced a new global padel tour, fully supported by the world’s leading players, represented by the PPA, with the first of 10 events confirmed to take place in Doha, Qatar, from 28 March.
Luigi Carraro, President of the International Padel Federation (FIP), said: “This legal action at the European Commission by the Federation and the Professional Players Association is unprecedented. It highlights in the clearest terms WPT’s abusive and exploitative monopoly regime, which has held padel players under its grip for years – insulting the professional athletes and stifling the global growth and ambition of the sport. The fact this action has been forced to be brought in the first place is a shocking indictment, in of itself. Private, closed, commercially-exploitative and unregulated leagues – that imprison the professional players – have absolutely no place in modern professional sport.”
The Board of Directors of the Professional Players Association (PPA), said: “The fact professional padel players have taken this case all the way to the European Commission – simply to defend their freedom to play padel – speaks volumes. For years under WPT and detached from the Federation, professional players have been treated as assets, not athletes – with many players barely able to cover their costs. It shouldn’t take the European Commission to free the players and the sport of padel from this sorry situation, but the players will take whatever action needed to defend their livelihoods and to develop a better future for padel.”
Over the coming weeks, FIP is expected to announce further details of the Official tour, including the tournament’s name, branding, and logo, all the highly anticipated locations, a major new international broadcaster partner, and much more.
