Professional Footballers' Association CEO Maheta Molango says the player union will continue to support footballers speaking out about the congested match calendar and dangerous levels of workload in the elite men’s game.
Molango’s comments come just days after several high-profile players in England – including Alisson Becker, Manuel Akanji, and Rodri – voiced their concerns ahead of the expanded UEFA Champions League, with the new format adding two extra games before the knockout stage. The expansion of the Club World Cup to 32 teams, which will be held 15 June-13 July, also leaves players little time for rest amidst a cannibalised match calendar.
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya and Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne earlier this month highlighted the PFA’s proactive involvement in consulting players on the issue at the beginning of this season.
Speaking at a fireside chat at the World Football Summit in Seville, Spain, Molango said: "I'm confident about the fact that the players understand what we're trying to do. To hear David Raya talk about the PFA involvement, hear De Bruyne saying the same, hear Rodri speaking the way that he speaks, it makes us feel that we are doing what is right for them."
Manchester City midfielder Rodri yesterday said players are “close” to going on strike in protest of the number of games elite-level men’s players are having to endure.
Molango said: "Rodri played in the EURO final on 14 July and within less than a month, he was asked to be back to play a Premier League game.
"This season he can possibly reach the Champions League final, which is on 31 May, and within four days, he could go to the Nations League finals on 4-10 June, and then, within four days, he is asked to be in the US to play in the Club World Cup, which will last until mid-July. So, how can you possibly do all this and not at some stage pick up an injury or drop your performance?"
With players picking up injuries and feeling fatigued due to the volume of games, Molango highlights that fans in England are also suffering as a result of the congested calendar. "The fans are starting to see that this has an impact on what they are currently seeing on the pitch because the quality, frankly, has not been what it should be.
"As a fan, you’re thinking: ‘I pay 100 percent of my ticket, but I get 60 percent of the performance on the pitch’ – and that's not fair. People are asking why is Haaland performing so well now? Why is Salah performing well now? It’s because they had a proper break in the summer. There is no mystery."
'The players said to us we need to do something about it'
FIFPRO Europe member unions in England, France and Italy in June 2024 submitted a legal claim against FIFA, challenging the legality of FIFA's decisions to unilaterally set the international match calendar and, in particular, the decision to create and schedule the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
Player associations believe that these decisions violate the rights of footballers and their unions under the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights while also potentially violating EU competition law.
"The PFA is about what the players, our members, want us to do – we've always said that we'll go as far as they want us to go," Molango said. "When we decided to file the legal claim, it was because the players clearly said to us loud and clear that we need to do something about it. The next step will be whatever the players want us to do."
The PFA had previously tried to consult with FIFA about the match calendar, sending a letter signed by all Premier League and Women’s Super League captains in February 2022. A meeting with FIFA was also held in Manchester where the player-centric issues were outlined.
"Two years down the line, the situation has not just improved, it has worsened. So, what is the solution? The first step was legal action; the second step can be whatever needs to happen in terms of stronger action taken by players."
Whatever happens next, Molango says it will ultimately come down to the will of the players. "We've seen too often in football right now where too many decisions are being made without people who really understand the actual show, the actual product."
Molango continues: "We launched a PFA business school where we've got an excess of 200 players registered for that, including Gundogan, Jordan Henderson, and Yoane Wissa. We've been trying to make sure that we have that player voice in key decisions."
