Fifa dispute with global players’ union escalates over rest period decision

• No one from Fifpro present at Fifa meeting in New York

• Fifa says players should have 72 hours at least' between games

Fifa's dispute with the global players' union, Fifpro, appears to have escalated after the announcement from world football's governing body that it supports the principle of mandatory rest periods for top stars. While Fifpro welcomed the commitment to a 72-hour gap between games during the season, as well as a three-week break during the summer, it is understood union executives have been left nonplussed by what has been described as a flawed process.

The Guardian has learned that no one from Fifpro or the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) was present at the meeting with Fifa officials in New York on Saturday that led to what was an unexpected announcement. In a photograph that accompanied Fifa's press release its president, Gianni Infantino, was pictured with union officials from all over the world, but many of them were from organisations expelled from Fifpro, while others were former Fifpro leaders who have left office after elections. Fifpro and Fifa declined to comment when contacted by The Guardian.