FOOTBALLERS’ unions have followed through on a threat to take legal action against Fifa over the sport’s “unworkable” calendar.

Europe’s highest court will be asked to rule whether the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights – including Article 5 which prohibits slavery and forced labour – has been breached by football’s global governing body in its decision to introduce a 32-team Club World Cup.

Maheta Molango, the chief executive of the English players’ union, the Professional Footballers’ Association, insists football cannot be “exempt” from rules around workers’ rights.