At a time when there is so much emphasis on player welfare, both physically and mentally, how ironic was it that Spain and Manchester City star Rodri spoke out recently about the prospect of players going on strike in protest at an increase in games? He said: “I think we are close to that. If it keeps this way, it will be a moment that we have no other option, but let’s see” were the words of the influential Manchester City man
Manchester City Star Rodri Talks Potential Strike Action
Too Much Football Can Lead to Serious Injury
Just a few days later, he picked up a serious knee injury against Arsenal which sadly means the best midfielder in the world is likely to miss the rest of this league campaign.
And remember, this was after he played a pivotal role in Manchester City winning the Premier League title for the fourth season in a row and then being a massive influence as Spain became European champions in the summer months. The favourite for the Balon d’Or later this year was also named Player of the Tournament in Germany.
Injuries are part and parcel of every footballer’s life but the extremes that players at the top level are being asked to go to now are intense and potentially damaging to their health.
Expanded FIFA Club World Cup a Step Too Far?
Rodri’s point is a seriously valid one. The potential is there for the most successful clubs across the world to have around 75 competitive fixtures or more if they reach the final of the FIFA Club World Cup that will be held across the United States next year from June 15 through to July 13.
The competition is the brainchild of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, keen to highlight the possibility of increased profile and financial reward for the clubs. The global event will bring together the most successful club sides from each of the six international confederations: AFC, CAF, Concacaf, CONMEBOL, OFC and UEFA.
What it means though is that in a summer without an international tournament, the players at those 32 clubs won’t be afforded a proper break.
FIFPRO Highlight Problem, Ancelotti Suggests a Mid-Season Holiday
FIFPRO, the global Players Union are against what they see as fixture congestion and the Premier League has also lodged their complaint to FIFA with the football calendar in their eyes now ‘beyond saturation’.
In order to combat the potential for burnout, injury and work overload, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has said the European champions are considering giving their players some sort of holiday during the season. Changed days.
63 Game-Winning Season at Celtic
My son asked me the other day how many games I had played in my first year at Celtic, the most successful season I had in my 16-year career. I won a few international caps in my career but would never be regarded as a recognised international player. Off the top of my head, I guessed around the 55 mark but when my son looked it up, it was actually 63. 44 league games, two domestic cup competitions that totalled nine cup-ties; six pre-season games and just the two UEFA Cup matches. Throw in a couple of high-profile testimonials and it’s the same number that Rodri played last season when winning the Premier League title and the European championships with Spain.
Sports Science and Recovery Much Improved
In my day, I have to say that sports science was pretty much non-existent. While our preparation for games and recovery from them was certainly professional, substitutions were rare with a maximum of 2 outfield players being replaced and in the main, players never felt as though they were ‘rested’, if you weren’t playing you were ‘dropped’.
Crucially, I always felt that we got a proper break over the summer to rest our weary limbs. I accept that while at times complaining about fixture congestion, clubs take their players on long-haul flights to Australia, Asia or the USA on summer tours to take advantage of lucrative cash on offer.
Players Not Looking for Sympathy but Quality of Product
Now that matchday four of the Nations League is over, it’s worth remembering that it’s around seven to 10 days that players meet up for a doubleheader of international fixtures and it’s happening more regularly.
It’s my experience that players don’t look for sympathy. They are well paid, doing a job that they love but it’s not just about their wellbeing. The quality of the product is surely diminished by so many games taking place.
Jules Kounde, Jurrien Timber and Bernardo Silva Add Support
Rodri is not a lone voice. Barcelona defender Jules Kounde has stated that “every year we have more games and less rest. We players have been saying this for 3 or 4 years, but nobody pays attention to us. The time will come when we will have to go on strike to make ourselves heard”.
Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber has also added his weight to the players’ argument. Timber said, “We are close” to action if nothing were to be done to address the issue while Rodri’s teammate at City Bernardo Silva described the planned schedule as “absurd” and “completely crazy”.
Potential Strike Action Supported by Head of PFA
Maheta Molango the chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), has also called for stricter measures when it comes to how many games elite players should be allowed to play in a given period. He has also insisted he would support any strike should the players decide direct action was necessary.
So, something has to give. We have more Champions League games in the new-look league phase plus an extra play-off round, and there’s now the Conference League alongside the Europa League.
Are FIFA Abusing Their Dominant Position?
There’s next summer’s Club World Cup, while the European Championship and World Cup tournaments have been expanded. There will be 48 countries at the next World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. The introduction of the Nations League has further increased the number of international matches being played in Europe.
The allegation from all these high-profile players and managers is that FIFA is abusing their dominant position by forcing through their idea of a new football calendar. I’m definitely on the side of the players and hope some sort of compromise can be reached.
It’s the clubs who pay the players wages, I’d hate to see the top stars walk away from international football.
