HOOFDORP, Netherlands (AP) – A spokesperson for soccer’s World Players Association said Wednesday that a strike by soccer’s top stars cannot be ruled out. Newly expanded Club World Cup continues to face backlash.
The tournament, run by FIFA, will expand from seven to 32 teams and will be held in the United States from June to July next year.
The new format faces the following problems: fierce backlashPlayers’ association FIFPRO has expressed concern about the physical and mental impact on players of increasingly hectic schedules.
“We’ve seen player strikes in different sports. We’re seeing it in professional football, too, and players are actively talking about it,” said FIFPRO Policy and Strategic Relations. Director Alexander Bielefeld said. “I think this is a very unique moment in terms of how the players are connecting on this issue. So, personally, I wouldn’t rule out any possibility at this point.”
Manchester City midfielder Rodri said in September that his players were on the verge of going on strike because of the number of games they had to play. He tore ligaments in his knee a few days later, suffering a potentially season-ending injury.
On Wednesday, Belgium’s University of Leuven, commissioned by FIFPRO, released a report examining occupational safety and health standards related to football.
FIFPRO said the governing body “has not demonstrated a commitment to identifying comprehensive health and safety standards to address the needs of athletes in high-risk environments.”
While Europe’s top clubs have welcomed the new Club World Cup, it has become a hot topic: formal complaint The players’ association and national leagues have submitted a submission to the European Commission in Brussels on how it could be added to the world football calendar.
FIFPRO said the report will be added as evidence in the prosecution.
Despite the resistance, FIFA is pushing ahead with the Club World Cup, with president Gianni Infantino last week describing it as “the beginning of a new era in football”.
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