Last week, representatives of six professional footballers' associations from Eastern and Southern Europe visited the FIFPro head office in Hoofdorp, the Netherlands. They were invited by the worldwide players' union, which had organized a special meeting just for them.

FIFPro's Secretary General Theo van Seggelen - assisted by board member Dejan Stefanovic and FIFPro staff - welcomed the delegations from Croatia, the Czech Republic, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Malta. Currently, these unions are not a member of FIFPro. Serbia is a candidate member, Georgia and Kazakhstan both are an observer. The footballers' associations from Croatia, the Czech Republic and Malta were founded only recently.

The idea behind this meeting was to supply these young unions with information about the FIFPro organization and the numerous activities of the worldwide footballers' association. FIFPro also explained its guests the trajectory towards FIFPro membership.

For their part, the delegations of the players' associations informed FIFPro about their status in their country, their activities, their achievements, as well as the current status of professional football in their country.

'The development of players' associations in Eastern Europe is one of our biggest priorities', said Van Seggelen.

'In recent years we have experienced that the rights of professional footballers in Eastern Europe are not well-respected. You can call it an emergency situation.'

'The players' rights need a much better protection than in the current situation.'

Van Seggelen was delighted with all six unions' presentations. 'All associations have shown that they have made great progress. Especially in Croatia, the Czech Republic and Serbia they have accomplished many, many good things.'

But, Van Seggelen added, 'There are still a lot of important issues that need to be realized.' The Football Federations in Eastern Europe must understand that they cannot deny the players' rights anymore. The footballers are realizing that they must and can organize themselves. And these players' associations are working day and night to achieve their goal: a better protection of the players' rights. We admire their progress and their courage and we hope, no insist, that they keep up the good work.'

The following delegations attended the meeting: Croatia, HUNS, represented by president Dario Simic and secretary general Mario Juric; Czech Republic, CAFH, vice chairman Marketa Haindlova and legal counsel Lucie Hlavova; Georgia, Union 'Our Football', founder Levan Kipiani and Mikheil Kavelashvili; Kazakhstan, Pro Football, executive director Aigerim Sabralieva and lawyer Zhanna Yussupaliyeva Malta, MFPA, executive committee member Konrad Sultana Serbia, Nezavisnost, president Mirko Poledica.