The Professional Footballers Association have revealed they have held talks with players over the increasing problem of fixture congestion.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola believes Premier League players will have to organise a strike if they want tangible change to scheduling problems.
And the PFA have bolstered Guardiola’s comments and confirmed that they have held held discussions over player welfare and the issue of fixture congestion.
In a statement issued to Sportsmail, PFA chief executive Maheta Molango said: ‘I’ve spoken with many senior players on this issue. I can tell you that it isn’t going away. Players don’t choose to speak out on issues like this without having given it a lot of thought.
‘As their union, the PFA enables players to stand together. That unity gives them enormous strength.
‘Now it’s up to those who run the game at all levels to begin to take this seriously so it’s an issue that can be addressed constructively with players at the heart of the conversation. That has to happen now. This isn’t something that can be kicked down the road again.’
Earlier in the day, Guardiola said: ‘(It) should be the players and the managers all together and make a strike... through words it's not going to be solved.
‘I don't think (a strike will happen) because we want to play. But when people say more competitions, more games and more games and less holidays… we played the first two or three games without players this season.’