FIFPro Releases Report Slamming FIFA Over Congested Schedule; Demands Changes For Player Well-Being
Last Updated:
FIFPro's report called for match limits, mid-season breaks, and mandatory summer holidays to protect footballers from excessive workload and calendar congestion.
Enough is enough. Footballers, just like other athletes, deserve rest too.
Professional football must introduce match limits, mid-season breaks, and compulsory summer holidays to protect players, a report commissioned by FIFPro stated on Thursday.
FIFPro is the global players' union while European Leagues brings together more than one thousand clubs from 33 countries around Europe.
Its member leagues include the English Premier League, as well as the leagues in Italy, Germany and France, but not La Liga, which joined the complaint separately.
Citing recent European court rulings related to the breakaway Super League and the Lassana Diarra case, the FIFPro ealier last year had said FIFA's rules and conduct 'harm the economic interests of national leagues, and the health and safety of players in European football".
'A legal challenge before the European Commission has become a necessary course of action to safeguard the European football sector," they added.
FIFA has been accused of a failure to consult over recent changes to the calendar, such as the introduction of a 32-team Club World Cup, which has drawn much criticism regarding player well-being.
To substantiate their earlier grievances, FIFPro now announced that a study on 'calendar congestion and excessive workload" by 70 specialists working in professional men's football for clubs and national teams recommended safety standards, which, according to the report, international football currently lacks.
The report made 12 recommendations and highlighted several in a press release.
These included mandatory four-week off-season breaks, with two of those weeks being commitment-free, and compulsory mid-season breaks. It also advocated for a minimum four-week retraining period after off-season breaks before players return to competition. On top of it all, in order to manage travel fatigue, the report mentioned that governing bodies should ensure rest periods after long-haul flights.
It was also noted that specific workload safeguards should be introduced for players under 21, while urging 'seasonal match limits and fixture congestion controls" across all levels of football.
FIFPro has led criticism of the lucrative 32-team tournament, which has been crammed into an already overloaded schedule.
The FIFA Club World Cup is set to take place from June 14.
First Published:
June 12, 2025, 18:32 IST
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
43 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Club World Cup: ICE agents presence adds unease to USA's litmus test ahead of 2026 WC, 2028 Olympics
On Thursday, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) authority consented to removing a social media post from their handles across platforms. The purported reason? It seemed to be spooking football fans who are expected to flock to stadiums to watch the inaugural edition of the revamped Club World Cup, which kicks off in Miami early on Sunday. The CBP's post noted that they will be 'suited and booted ready to provide security for the first round of games'. It was also confirmed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will also be at the games; the stated presence of these agencies being mostly for reasons of security. But some noted a coded messaging behind that vague reasoning, given the Donald Trump-led American administration's massive recent anti-immigrant push. As Thomas Kennedy, member of the Florida Immigrant Coalition, told NBC News: 'It's sort of alluding that people should have their paperwork in order to attend the games. It creates an environment where people are less likely to come watch the games because of sheer intimidation.' Why this assumes greater significance is that the upcoming Club World Cup will act as a litmus test for the two biggest sporting events in the world that will be hosted in the US during the ongoing term of the incumbent administration: the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Global sport is increasingly veering towards the commercial viability of American eyeballs – the third edition of the Major League Cricket franchise T20 tournament kicked off there on Thursday, after part of the T20 World Cup was also held in the US last year. In no market in the world does live sport make more money than in the US. And football is no different in attempting to cash in on that. Despite the guarantees that both FIFA and the IOC have publicly stated they have been provided in this matter, though, there will be some unease regarding US decisions that have made them less open to people from all over the world. A travel ban in the form of a new policy, issued by President Trump himself, came into effect there on Sunday. It places total restrictions on entry into American borders for residents of 12 countries, and partial restrictions on those of seven other countries. Included are countries like Afghanistan, Iran and Venezuela. The order contains an exemption for both the World Cup and the Olympics, but the US will get to decide which members of a team and support staff are deemed 'necessary' to be given entry into their country. The order also makes no mention of fans who wish to travel to watch those events. The exemption may ease fears held on paper but it does little for the uncertainty that will be felt on global events of such a massive scale, and in Kennedy's words, the environment of 'sheer intimidation,' may not make for the most welcoming tournaments. In the short term, regarding the Club World Cup, FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who was seen meeting President Trump at the White House in March, has dismissed these concerns, even as he stakes his reputation on the smooth functioning of the tournament that he has personally pushed through. According to Infantino, the tournament, essentially his brainchild, will do wonders for the global game by addressing its current Eurocentrism and giving global teams broader visibility. 32 teams will play – 12 from Europe, six from South America, four each from Asia and Africa, one from Oceania, and five from North America. According to his critics, it will serve none of those purposes, instead being a vanity project to portray Infantino in a good light, making lots of money for FIFA's 211 member nations and strengthening his grip on the global game. But buzz for the event has been low, a far cry from the international football tournaments that traditionally take place in the summer. Players have complained about the bloated calendar putting stress on their bodies. As a result, clubs are likely to rotate squads and not play their best team, reducing the quality of the football to a glorified pre-season tournament. Sponsors haven't expressed a lot of interest. Ticket sales were a concern: according to The Athletic, local Miami college students have been offered as many as five tickets for the price of one at $21. So were broadcast rights. When a lucrative deal was not struck, the rights were sold to streaming platform DAZN for $1 billion. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF then bought 10% of the company for $1 billion. Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. When Lionel Messi's Inter Miami kick the tournament off at home on Sunday against Egyptian side Al Ahly, football will take the centre stage. Realpolitik will have to go behind the curtains, where it belongs. But the result of the tournament will be instructive of a few things: how successful football is in tapping the American market, and a glimpse of how the US manage hosting major global sporting events in today's uncertain, frayed times.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Hockey: Deepika's drag flicks give India hope of a late fightback but Australia prevail 3-2 in Pro League
India women's hockey team – like the men earlier in the day – went down against Australia 2-3 in the FIH Pro League but the storyline was slightly different in London compared to what transpired in Antwerp. While the men's team saw a 2-0 lead slip and lost to a late goal against their nemesis Kookaburras, Salima Tete's team mounted a late fightback after going down 3-0, and nearly scripted a solid comeback. But the end result was no points for India at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on Saturday at the start of their European sojourn where they are in for a fight to stave off relegation from the Pro League. After going three goals down, India fought back through goals from Deepika (44′) and Neha (52′) – both resulting from Penalty Corner situations – but the Australians held their nerve in a fierce final quarter to secure the win. Courtney Schonell (16′), Lexie Pickering (27′) and Tatum Stewart (35′) registered goals for Australia. There was little to separate the two sides in a cagey opening quarter. India adopted a patient approach but were quick to apply pressure on the Australian defence. Australia earned a penalty corner in the 10th minute, but India held firm to deny them. India's best chance came late in the quarter, when a swift attacking move forced Australian goalkeeper Zoe Newman into a sharp double save. But the second quarter resembled a training ground exercise of attack vs defend as India couldn't lay a finger on the Hockeyroos at the other end of the pitch, constantly losing possession and putting the defence under pressure. As early as a minute into the second quarter, Schonell was at the end of a sharp pass from Grace Stewart and finished it with precision to give Australia the lead. In the 27th minute, a turnover from Navneet led to scrappy moments of play and a series of Australian shots on goal. Savita's reflexes held up against two consecutive shots but on the second rebound, Pickering slotted it past the Indian Goalkeeper to double Australia's lead. India were unable to create chances on goal before proceedings broke for half-time. Momentum stayed with Australia as five minutes into the third quarter, Australia earned another penalty corner as their relentless pressure tested the Indian defence. The initial attempt was bravely defended by Sunelita Toppo. However, the sequence led to another penalty corner, which evolved to a penalty stroke as the ball rebounded from Savita's save onto the body of Ishika Chaudhary on the line. India opted to swap goalies just for the stroke but Tatum Stewart stepped up and drilled it past goalkeeper Bichu Devi, extending Australia's lead to 3–0. India found much much-needed respite when they won a penalty corner with 68 seconds left in the quarter. Deepika was at the end of a crisp injection and flicked it in with precision to reduce the deficit to 1-3. The work Harendra Singh has been doing with the drag flickers was there to be seen in the finish. India came out with all guns blazing in the fourth quarter, spurred by their goal. The Indian attack won three consecutive penalty corners in the 46th minute, but the scores were unchanged. India now played with a strong sense of urgency and put Australia under immense pressure. Australia buckled in the 52nd minute when they conceded another penalty scorer. Deepika's low driven shot was well defended, but Neha pounced on the ball in the ensuing chaos and buried it with finesse at close range to make it 2-3. India looked to threaten with a series of quick moves, but the equaliser eluded them. In the dying embers of the match, silky stick work from Navneet helped her glide into the circle before she was brought down for another penalty corner. However, Australia retained the lead to secure the victory. Prior to the start of the match, both teams observed a minute's silence in memory of those who lost their lives in the recent aircraft tragedy in Ahmedabad.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Al Ahly vs Inter Miami live match time, streaming
The FIFA Club World Cup clash on Saturday, June 15, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami will see Egyptian giants Al Ahly take on Major League Soccer's most talked-about side, Inter Miami, in a highly anticipated fixture. Al Ahly, one of Africa's most successful clubs, are making yet another deep run in the tournament and are hungry to prove their global pedigree. Led by a seasoned core and bolstered by a tactically disciplined approach, they will look to challenge Miami's flair with defensive steel and counter-attacking intent. Inter Miami, headlined by global superstar Lionel Messi, are aiming to put North American football firmly on the world map. With coach Tata Martino at the helm and a squad filled with both young energy and veteran brilliance, the American side will be determined to make the most of their home advantage. Expect fireworks, drama, and a clash of footballing styles in Miami's showpiece arena. Al Ahly Team News New manager José Riveiro is set to take charge of his first competitive match with the club at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, having named a 28-man squad for the campaign in the United States. Much will depend on Emam Ashour, who was directly involved in 20 goals in the Egyptian League last season, while Trézéguet and striker Wessam Abou Ali will also play key roles in attack. Veteran captain and goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy, now 36, will be tasked with containing Inter Miami's star-studded frontline. However, keeping a clean sheet may prove difficult, with the Herons netting 15 goals in their last five games. Inter Miami Team News Injury concerns may trouble Javier Mascherano ahead of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup opener, with defenders Jordi Alba and Gonzalo Luján doubtful, and goalkeeper Drake Callender also at risk of missing out. However, Oscar Ustari is fit to return in goal after being subbed off at halftime during the 5–1 win over Columbus Crew. Midfielders David Ruiz and Yannick Bright are also likely to be sidelined with hamstring issues. On the bright side, the experienced trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and Sergio Busquets are fully fit and set to lead Inter Miami's charge. Al Ahly vs Inter Miami Starting 11 (Probable) Al Ahly starting 11 (probable): El Shenawy; Hany, Ibrahim, El Aash, El Debes; Reda, Attia; Bencharki, Ashour, Trézéguet; Abou Ali. Inter Miami starting 11 (probable): Ustari; Weigandt, Falcón, Martínez, Allen; Allende, Cremaschi, Busquets, Segovia; Messi, Suárez. FIFA Club World Cup: Al Ahly vs Inter Miami Live Telecast and Streaming Details When will the FIFA Club World Cup match between Al Ahly and Inter Miami be played? The match between Al Ahly and Inter Miami will be played on June 15. What time will the FIFA Club World Cup match between Al Ahly and Inter Miami begin on June 15? The match will kick off at 5:30 AM IST (June 15). What will be the venue for the FIFA Club World Cup match between Al Ahly and Inter Miami? The match will take place at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, USA. The live telecast of the FIFA Club World Cup will not be available in India. The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup clash between Inter Miami and Al Ahly will be streamed for free on DAZN's website and app, both in India and across the globe.
