Governing Bodies
MIXED RESPONSE AS DJOKOVIC LEAVES ATP PLAYERS COUNCIL AND FORMS BREAKAWAY UNION
Men’s world number one Novak Djokovic has resigned as President of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Players Council to form a new players’ association, leading to criticism from some high-profile players and tennis bodies.
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, the other two members of men’s tennis’ so-called “Big Three”, have opposed the move and remain members of the ATP Players Council.
Djokovic’s new Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA) members met yesterday at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, where the first players signed up for the organisation ahead of the start of the US Open tomorrow.
The Serbian has created the new players’ body alongside Canada’s 92nd-ranked Vasek Pospisil, who announced his resignation from the ATP Players Council on Twitter.
Between 60 and 70 players posed for a photo of the newly-formed body posted on social media by Pospisil.
Little is clear at present about how the body will be run, but it will focus on the top 500 men’s singles players and top 200 doubles players.
https://platform.twitter.com/embed/index.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1299855508363505664&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidethegames.biz%2Farticles%2F1097840%2Fnovak-djokovic-atp-tennis-federer-nadal&siteScreenName=insidethegames&theme=light&widgetsVersion=223fc1c4%3A1596143124634&width=550px A joint statement was released by the ATP, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), the International Tennis Federation and Grand Slam organisers in response to the new organisation.
“Now more than ever we need collaboration and strong relationships, and we fully support the ATP in its role in representing the best interests of players throughout this process,” read the statement.
“It is our responsibility to ensure that our sport emerges from this crisis with strong foundations on which we can build.
“It is a time for even greater collaboration, not division; a time to consider and act in the best interests of the sport, now and for the future.
“When we work together, we are a stronger sport.”
The ATP has governed men’s tennis for 30 years, representing its players and tournaments since 1990 in its current form – having previously been formed in 1972 to protect the interests of professional tennis players.
It is separate from the WTA.
Djokovic won the Cincinnati Masters yesterday, after which he defended his new organisation.
“I have read in the letter from the ATP that they think the ATP cannot co-exist with this association – I have to respectfully disagree,” Djokovic said.
“Legally, we are 100 per cent safe, and we are allowed to form the player association.
“We are not calling for boycotts, we are not forming parallel tours.
“This is an important step for players, and for the sport as well.
“We just want to have our own organisation, that is 100 per cent ours.
“We are definitely going to try and work with ATP, and all the governing bodies.”
Nadal and Federer were among six ATP Player Council members who wrote a letter to players urging them not to join the new body.
The letter on the PTPA addressed concerns over relations with the ATP, the potential for tournaments to not go ahead and who would take responsibility for a potential loss of
Both Nadal and Federer have also expressed concern on Twitter, calling for unity.
“These are uncertain and challenging times, but I believe it’s critical for us to stand united as players, and as a sport, to pave the best way forward”, was Federer’s message.
Britain’s three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray has been more guarded, saying he is not against a player union but believes it should involve female players too.
“I’m not totally against a player union, but I feel like the current management that are in place should be given some time to implement their vision and I feel like that would send a much more powerful message if the WTA were on board with it as well,” the two-time Olympic champion said.
Murray added that he will not be signing up to the new organisation for now.
Cincinnati runner-up Milos Raonic will though – he complained that players were “kept in the dark by our leadership for six months”.
https://platform.twitter.com/embed/index.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-3&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1299756132655824899&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidethegames.biz%2Farticles%2F1097840%2Fnovak-djokovic-atp-tennis-federer-nadal&siteScreenName=insidethegames&theme=light&widgetsVersion=223fc1c4%3A1596143124634&width=550px According to Pospisil, the PTPA is designed to “unify the players, have our voices heard and have an impact on decisions being made that effect our lives and livelihoods”.
It “did not emerge to be combative, to disrupt, or to cause any issues within or outside the tennis tour”, he added.
In a PTPA document, Djokovic and Pospisil listed revenue sharing, disciplinary actions, player pensions, travel, insurance and amenities at tournaments as issues the new association would attempt to address, according to The New York Times.
Djokovic and Pospisil will serve a two-year term as co-Presidents, with there being plans for an elected Board of up to nine people in future.
However, ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi – who took up the position in January – said the move “makes no sense”.
“You have what other athletes in other sports would strive for – a seat at the boardroom table – that is what players fought for in the creation of the ATP Tour,” he added.
There are three athlete representatives and three ATP tournament representatives on the ATP Board, although chairman Gaudenzi has the right to a casting vote.
A group including American player Sloane Stephens is reportedly interested in a collaboration with the PTPA that would involve female players.
-insidethegames
The FIFA Museum in Zurich has launched a new special exhibition titled Innovation in Action: Football Technologies on and off the Pitch, offering visitors an unprecedented glimpse into how innovation is transforming the world’s most popular sport.
Opened on Monday, October 1, 2025, the immersive showcase was developed in collaboration with the FIFA Innovation Team and other departments within world football’s governing body. It explores how cutting-edge technology supports players, referees, and fans—enhancing performance, ensuring fairness, and enriching the overall football experience—while preserving the game’s passion and human spirit.
“What makes this exhibition truly special is that we can give visitors a never-before-seen behind-the-scenes look that allows them to step inside football innovation, experiencing it hands-on rather than just reading about it,” said Marco Fazzone, Managing Director of the FIFA Museum. “We offer a glimpse at technologies and tools that fans don’t normally get to experience up close, while also showing how innovation has evolved over almost 100 years of FIFA World Cup history.”
Organised around five themed sections — Broadcasting & Media, Intelligent Data, Refereeing & Fair Play, Staging the Game, and the Innovation Lab — the exhibition blends rare artefacts with interactive displays. Visitors can relive football’s broadcast evolution, from the black-and-white footage of the 1954 World Cup to today’s ultra-slow motion 4K replays, and even step into a virtual referee booth to experience the pressures of officiating in real time.
Among the standout features is the FIFA Player App, which allows fans to explore Chelsea star Cole Palmer’s performance statistics from the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Final, illustrating how data helps players refine their craft.
Another exhibit showcases Canada goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan’s water bottle from the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 — marked with opponents’ penalty data — revealing how analytics influence critical moments.
Visitors can also view a referee body camera used at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, giving a fresh perspective on decision-making from the official’s point of view.
The exhibition invites visitors to engage directly with football technology. They can test their reflexes and judgment as referees, operate goal-line technology systems, or assume the role of a broadcast director managing live match feeds. Data enthusiasts can analyse player movements, while aspiring innovators can design their own football tech concepts inside the Innovation Lab.
Innovation in Action runs until 31 March 2026 at the FIFA Museum in Zurich. Entry is included with a standard museum ticket.
With its rich mix of storytelling, interactivity, and history, the exhibition promises to be a must-see experience for anyone passionate about the future of the beautiful game.
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Thursday that football could not solve conflicts, but it must carry a message of peace and unity as Israel’s military operation in Gaza and other global tensions fuel calls for the sport to take a stand.
“At FIFA, we are committed to using the power of football to bring people together in a divided world,” Infantino told a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich where he met Palestinian federation president Jibril Rajoub.
“Our thoughts are with those who are suffering in the many conflicts that exist around the world today, and the most important message that football can convey right now is one of peace and unity.”
Infantino said world football’s governing body could not solve geopolitical crises, but “it can and must promote football around the world by harnessing its unifying, educational, cultural and humanitarian values.”
“I met Palestinian Football Association (PFA) President Jibril Rajoub today at the Home of FIFA in Zurich to discuss the ongoing situation in the Middle East region,” Infantino later wrote on Instagram.
“I commend President Rajoub and the PFA for their resilience at this time and I reiterated to him FIFA’s commitment to using the power of football to bring people together in a divided world.”
FIFA has faced repeated calls to act over the war in Gaza, with Palestinian officials pressing for Israel to be suspended from international football.
The issue has been under review by FIFA for months, but no decision has been taken. Infantino has consistently said such matters require consensus with the confederations and must be handled with caution.
The comments came a day after FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani noted that any decision over Israel’s participation in European competitions, including World Cup qualifiers, was a matter for UEFA to decide, effectively putting the onus on the European body.
“First and foremost, it (Israel) is a member of UEFA, no different than I have to deal with a member of my region for whatever reason… They have to deal with that,” Montagliani told reporters at the Leaders sports business conference on Wednesday.
Israel are third in Europe’s Group I of the qualifying stage for next year’s World Cup in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Amnesty International on Wednesday sent a letter to FIFA and UEFA calling on them to suspend the Israel Football Association.
-Reuters
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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dismissed reports suggesting that its Statutes will be amended at this year’s Annual General Assembly (AGA), insisting that no such plans are on the table for the September 27 meeting.
In a statement, the Federation stressed that the ongoing conversation around its Statutes remains at a preliminary stage and that suggestions of imminent changes are unfounded.
Ahead of the AGA, the NFF will host a workshop on September 26, bringing together representatives of its members, as well as officials from FIFA and CAF. According to the Federation, the forum is strictly consultative, designed to deliberate on proposals for new Statutes in line with the principles of good governance and international best practices.
The NFF explained that only after consensus is reached with its members will a separate General Assembly be convened to formally consider and adopt any proposed Statute changes.
“The NFF remains committed to due process, transparency, and working hand-in-hand with its General Assembly Members, FIFA, and CAF,” the statement read.
“The ultimate goal is to establish enduring Statutes that will strengthen governance, broaden representation, and promote inclusivity within Nigerian football.”
The Federation added that the long-term reform framework is aimed at ensuring stability and progress across its structures and enhancing the participation of all stakeholders in the country’s football administration.
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