FIFPRO EU: International match exposes high workload as conflicts escalate

FIFPRO Europe calls for action on player workload after latest international window .

FIFPRO Europe today called for action on player workload, as the latest international release window highlighted both the damaging impact of football’s expanding calendar on player health and growing tension between clubs and national teams over rising injuries.

Injuries to high-profile players – including Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Frenkie de Jong, John Stones, Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, Omar Marmoush, and Liam Delap – are only one visible part of the workload crisis facing professional football and are not surprising: player unions have long warned that the international match calendar is unsafe and unsustainable.

Common sense solutions via social dialogue and collective agreements

"We have reached a point where change is unavoidable," said FIFPRO Europe President David Terrier. "Without urgent reform of the international calendar, specific health and safety regulations and proper coordination of all competitions, players will continue to be put at risk due to commercial and political interest.

"The impact is not felt just by the players but increasingly also by clubs, national teams, fans and national competitions. The solutions are clear, and it is our responsibility – as unions, leagues, clubs, fans, governing bodies and public authorities – to find common sense solutions via social dialogue and collective agreements."

Change cannot wait

FIFPRO Europe continues to push for implementation of mandatory health and safety regulations and enforceable coordination between clubs and national teams, while remaining committed to working with all stakeholders – unions, leagues, clubs, fans, governing bodies and public authorities – to establish a sustainable calendar that protects players’ health and safeguards football’s future through collective agreements and social dialogue.