The Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland(PFAI) is the representative body for professional and semi-professional footballers in Republic of Ireland. Players from all nationalities in the League of Ireland are represented, not just Irish players. It is a member of FIFPro; the international body for similar organisations, and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. The PFAI's current chairman is Brendan Clarke.
The highest profile activities of the PFAI is the annual Players' Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards. These winners of these awards are voted for by member players and members cannot vote for one of their clubmates. Paul McGrath is currently the only man to win the award in Ireland and also win the PFA Players' Player of the Year award in England. The PFAI linked up with the Ireland WNT to improve their conditions in April 2017.
The Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year is an annual award given to the player who is adjudged to have been the best of the season in English football. The award has been presented since the 1947–48 season, with the inaugural winner being Blackpool winger Stanley Matthews. The latest winner of the award as of 2021–22 is Mohamed Salah of Liverpool. Nine players have won the award on more than one occasion, with Thierry Henry having won the award on the most occasions, with three wins in four seasons.
The Fédération Internationale des Associations de Footballeurs Professionnels, generally referred to as FIFPRO, is the worldwide representative organisation for 65,000 professional footballers. FIFPRO, with its global headquarters in Hoofddorp, Netherlands, is made up of 66 national players' associations. In addition, there are four candidate members. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have the most appearances in the FIFPRO World 11 with 15 each, whereas Sergio Ramos has had 11 appearances occupying the second place.
Paul Osam is an Irish former professional association footballer. He has also done media work with TV3. His father was from Ghana.
Stephen Rice is an Irish football coach and former player, who is currently a senior professional development coach at Crystal Palace U23's. During his playing career he played as a midfielder.
Shaun Williams is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for English League Two club Gillingham. He has previously played for Drogheda United, Finn Harps, Sporting Fingal, MK Dons, Millwall and Portsmouth.
Daryl "Dil" Kavanagh is an Irish footballer who last played for Drogheda United in the League of Ireland Premier Division. His former clubs include Carrick United, Waterford United, Cobh Ramblers, Limerick, St Patrick's Athletic, Shamrock Rovers, Cork City and Sligo Rovers.
The Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland Players' Player of the Year award is given to the footballer the League of Ireland Premier Division, who is seen to have been the best player of the previous season.
The Scottish Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year is an annual award given to the player who is adjudged to have been the best of the season in Scottish football. The award has been presented since the 1964–65 season, and the winner is selected by a vote amongst the members of the Scottish Football Writers' Association (SFWA), which comprises over 100 football journalists based throughout Scotland. The first winner was Celtic's Billy McNeill, and the first non-Scottish winner was Mark Hateley of Rangers in 1994. Seven players have won the award on more than one occasion, and one, Craig Gordon, three times, winning his third award in the 2021–22 season.
The Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland Players' Young Player of the Year award is given to the footballer in the top-flight of Irish football, the League of Ireland, who is seen to have been the best player of the previous season and is under 23 years of age.
The PFA Footballer of the Year Awards is an annual award ceremony created to formally recognise the most outstanding Australian soccer players playing abroad or in the A-League, as well as foreign players playing in the A-League. The inaugural ceremony took place on 11 June 2009 in Sydney.
The 2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala was the third year for FIFA's awards for the top football players and coaches of the year. The awards were given out in Zürich on 7 January 2013, with Lionel Messi winning a record fourth consecutive Ballon d'Or.
The 2013 FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala was the fourth year for FIFA's awards for the top football players and coaches of the year. The awards were given out in Zürich on 13 January 2014. The deadline for voting was 15 November 2013 but was extended to 29 November 2013 for the first time in history.
The 2014 FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala was the fifth year for FIFA's awards for the top football players and coaches of the year. The awards were given out in Zürich on 12 January 2015.
The Best FIFA Football Awards 2016 were held on 9 January 2017 in Zürich, Switzerland. The Best FIFA Football Awards are the annual recognitions awarded by FIFA to several individuals across different categories, including: best eleven players of the year, known as FIFA FIFPro World XI, FIFA World Coach of the Year for men's and for women's football, best female player of the year, 2nd best male player of the year, and best goal of the year. The FIFA Fair Play Award is the only award that usually goes to groups or entities instead of individuals.
The Football Players' Association of India or (FPAI) is an association for Indian association footballers. Created in 2006, it aims to "look after the welfare of players and educate and advice them by engaging professionals". It was created by former Indian national team captain Bhaichung Bhutia. In 2007, it got affiliated to FIFPro.
The Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland Team of the Year is an annual award given to the group of eleven players voted by their fellow players as having performed the best over the season. There are two separate teams voted for; the League of Ireland Premier Division and a League of Ireland First Division.
Brandon Miele is an Irish former professional footballer. He last played for League of Ireland Premier Division club, St Patrick's Athletic, having previously played for his first senior club Shamrock Rovers for 4 years.
Liam Scales is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or left-back for Scottish Premiership club Aberdeen, on loan from Celtic.
Dawson Devoy is an Irish professional association football player who plays as a midfielder for EFL League One club Milton Keynes Dons and the Republic of Ireland U21 national team.
Andrew Lyons is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender for Blackpool.