PPA attacks FEP-WPT agreement: ”Does not understand the position of FEP”

A few days ago, the Spanish Padel Federation (FEP) and WPT announced an agreement to create a new tournament category called WPT Next. In response to that announcement, the PPA has issued a press release, urging the federation to reconsider the decision.

”The PPA does not understand the position of the FEP allying itself with an organization that currently has millionaire lawsuits against more than 70 players”, the statement states.

On May 17th, the World Padel Tour announced the creation of a new circuit in conjunction with the Spanish Padel Federation: WPT Next. This new circuit will be aimed at all those players who, being federated, participate in the regional tournaments organized by the FEP and the Spanish regional federations under its umbrella.

This agreement between the FEP and WPT occurs in a tense moment between the circuit and the PPA. After several players of the WPT circuit participated in the new Premier Padel circuit, SETPOINT EVENTS S.A. (owner of the WPT) claimed a fine of a total of 25 million euros from the contracted World Padel Tour players. 

Today, the PPA issued a press release, urging the FEP (of which most of the players sued by WPT are members) to reconsider this agreement; and even recalls that the same FEP maintains an investigation against WPT for alleged abuse of dominant position to its players.

Here is the complete statement: 

Given the information that has appeared about the agreement between the Spanish Padel Federation (FEP) and WPT to organize events through the regional federations, the Professional Padel Players Association (PPA) would like to state the following:

The PPA was aware of the intentions of the FEP and the regional federations as a result of meetings with the president of the FEP and the regional federations. From the outset, the PPA expressed its opposition to such an agreement as was proposed. From our association, we support any initiative aimed at the growth of padel, but always consider the opinion of the real protagonists of the sport, which are the players. Something that on this occasion has not happened either.

 The PPA does not understand the position of the FEP, allying itself with an organization that currently has millionaire lawsuits against more than 70 players, most of whom belong to this federation.

 It is even less understandable that the FEP itself is asking federations from other countries to join this initiative when they do not even have the validation of the International Padel Federation, of which the FEP itself is a member.

We remind the FEP that there is an open investigation of WPT regarding their practices of abuse of dominant position and contrary to European law on competition that should be considered before reaching any agreement with this private organization. 

In this situation, we ask the FEP, with its president Mr. Ramón Morcillo Valle at the head, to reconsider its decision in the absence of consensus with the players and with the FIP, the institution that governs our sport worldwide and on which the FEP depends. 

Finally, from the PPA, we will support the promotion and development of young athletes, but in a consensual and logical way. Not at any price and, above all, without the FIP having previously validated these movements between the Spanish federation and a private organization.