Two years ago, professional players placed their trust in a new model that was supposed to revolutionize padel. But today, the Professional Padel Association (PPA) draws up a damning observation: a circuit without clear rules, arbitrary decisions and an International Federation of Padel (FIP) deemed biased and compromised. According to the PPA, the FIP no longer acts as an impartial bodyMore as an executor of the decisions of Premier Padel, a circuit that it is supposed to regulate. “It is clear that there is a conflict of interest”, denounce the players, pointing the finger at an organization where the FIP leaders simultaneously hold key positions at Premier Padel, while being a shareholder of the circuit.

behind this opacity There is a much more worrying reality: changed rules during the season, commitments not respected, and constant pressure on players to participate in tournaments at detriment to their health and careers. “We are subject to unilateral decisions without a clear and stable regulatory framework”, deplores the PPA, which calls for urgent reform before the situation becomes totally unmanageable.

We have extracted these passages from the PPA which explains that the FIP and Premier Padel are closely linked, which calls into question the independence of the organization supposed to regulate the professional circuit:

"Premier Padel has made contractual violation a norm, while the FIP, far from acting as an impartial body responsible for regulating sport, has become an executor of decisions that exclusively benefit Premier Padel, to the detriment of the players. This highlights a clear conflict of interest and a clear lack of regulation.

The FIP acts as judge and jury, promoting the interests of Premier Padel.

It is clear that there is a conflict of interest between the regulatory body (FIP) and the commercial interests of Premier Padel. Players expect the FIP to act impartially and objectively, but this expectation is called into question when its top executives also hold executive positions within the Premier Padel, and that the FIP is a major shareholder of Premier Padel.

This duality generates, according to the PPA, a worrying lack of transparency and legal security for athletes, who are subject to unilateral decisions without a clear and stable regulatory framework.

Case to follow.

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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