Football’s world governing body FIFA faces warnings that players are willing to go on strike if overwork continues. Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) chief executive Maheta Molango believes players are at their limit, with the congested football calendar pushing them to breaking point.
Legal threats and protests against the expanded schedule
The PFA has threatened legal action over the increasing number of games. A joint letter from Fifpro and the World Leagues Association (WLA) was sent to FIFA in May, opposing the proposed 32-team Club World Cup next summer. The letter, addressed to FIFA president Gianni Infantino and general secretary Mattias Grafstrom, criticized the burden placed on national leagues and players, calling it “inherently abusive” and harmful to players’ health and wellbeing.
Impact on player health and wellbeing
A recent study highlighted the physical toll on young players, using Jude Bellingham’s career as an example. By age 21, Bellingham had played 18,486 minutes, far exceeding the early career minutes of David Beckham and Frank Lampard. Fifpro’s Europe president David Terrier warned of widespread burnout, with over 50% of surveyed players reporting they played while injured.
Terrier declared, “There is an emergency – we are in danger. Players have gone beyond the limit, and the international timetable is full to the brim.” FIFA president Infantino defended the organization, stating that FIFA organizes only 1% of top club games and distributes revenues globally to support football development in 211 countries.
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