Thibaut Courtois urges soccer to use NBA as reference point in calendar congestion crisis
1 week, 2 days ago

Thibaut Courtois urges soccer to use NBA as reference point in calendar congestion crisis

CNN  

CNN — It’s a question that’s increasingly at the forefront of soccer’s agenda: is bigger always better? Rebecca Blackwell/AP Boiling point was reached earlier this year when unions representing soccer players launched a legal challenge against FIFA’s “unilateral” decision to set the international match calendar – notably an expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup. “This year is a Club World Cup, then next year is the World Cup, then the year after something else, so there’s no rest for players.” Indeed, the Real Madrid goalkeeper knows all too well about the toll of fixture congestion. “We increased the number of participants for the World Cup but still it’s one month every 48 months,” he continued. “So, I hope – I hope – that these figures that you can all, of course, check and calculate, show that we should probably stop this futile debate, which is really pointless, and focus on what we have to do, on what our mission is, which is to organize events and competitions, and to develop football around the world because 70% of you, of the Member Associations of FIFA would have no football without the resources coming directly from FIFA.” Club vs. country With recently-introduced competitions like the UEFA Nations League, many players are playing more games at international level than ever before.

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History of this topic

Match calendar almost unbearable for national team players: Dortmund coach Sahin
4 weeks, 2 days ago

Match calendar almost unbearable for national team players: Dortmund coach Sahin

India Today  

Borussia Dortmund coach Nuri Sahin has raised concerns over the growing demands on football players, especially those representing their national teams, citing the "unbearable" burden posed by an increasingly congested match calendar. "Especially for national team players, the burden is almost unbearable," Sahin remarked during the press conference. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, who will represent Dortmund at the upcoming Club World …

European soccer leagues, player unions challenge FIFA in formal legal complaint on competition law
5 months, 2 weeks ago

European soccer leagues, player unions challenge FIFA in formal legal complaint on competition law

Associated Press  

PARIS — European soccer leagues and player unions said on Tuesday they will formally complain to the European Commission about how FIFA adds competitions to congested fixture schedules. The legal move backs up warnings to FIFA in May by European Leagues and FIFPRO Europe urging a rethink on what they claimed was an “inherently abusive” decision-making process, including to expand …

Footballers’ unions take legal action against FIFA over ‘unworkable’ calendar
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Footballers’ unions take legal action against FIFA over ‘unworkable’ calendar

The Independent  

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Footballers’ unions have followed through on a threat …

PFA chief Maheta Molango warns players are ready to strike over increasingly packed calendar as he says 'we cannot rule out any action'
7 months, 1 week ago

PFA chief Maheta Molango warns players are ready to strike over increasingly packed calendar as he says 'we cannot rule out any action'

Daily Mail  

Players have warned world football's governing body FIFA that they are ready to go on strike over concerns the playing calendar is overloaded, the chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association said. PFA chief Maheta Molango believes that players are reaching a breaking point 'It was not even the union that said it, it was Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola. …

FIFA offers peace talks to player unions, leagues on legal threats about congested game schedules
7 months, 4 weeks ago

FIFA offers peace talks to player unions, leagues on legal threats about congested game schedules

Associated Press  

GENEVA — FIFA offered peace talks to the global networks of player unions and domestic leagues on Friday after they threatened legal action about soccer’s congested international calendar. FIFPRO and the World Leagues Association aired long-held frustrations at FIFA adding new and bigger events — including a revamped 32-team Club World Cup next year and a 48-team men’s World Cup …

This could be the solution to growing fears about burnout among soccer’s top players
1 year, 3 months ago

This could be the solution to growing fears about burnout among soccer’s top players

Associated Press  

MANCHESTER, England — Less is more. Varane posted his own concerns on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying, “there are too many games, the schedule is overcrowded, and it’s at a dangerous level for players physical and mental well-being.” “As a player I feel very privileged to do the job I love every day but I feel these changes are …

The packed football calendar makes no sense, says Real Madrid manager Ancelotti
1 year, 8 months ago

The packed football calendar makes no sense, says Real Madrid manager Ancelotti

The Hindu  

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti complained about the packed football calendar on Friday and insisted something has to change to protect the players. “The calendar is a calendar that we have said many times, objectively makes no sense,” Ancelotti told a news conference. “It’s not a good path for football, something has to change, there are too many games.” Despite …

Premier League, European clubs prepare for World Cup fallout
2 years ago

Premier League, European clubs prepare for World Cup fallout

Associated Press  

DOHA, Qatar — After a World Cup described by FIFA as the best ever, the true impact of its unprecedented calendar scheduling remains to be seen. But their runs have still meant star players like Real Madrid’s Luka Modric, PSG defender Achraf Hakimi and Bayern Munich defender Noussair Mazraoui have remained involved until the penultimate match of the World Cup. …

FIFA World Cup 2022 | Can Messi, Neymar end Europe’s hegemony?
2 years, 1 month ago

FIFA World Cup 2022 | Can Messi, Neymar end Europe’s hegemony?

The Hindu  

Football — for the first time in its history — has put a mid-winter pause to its lucrative club/league schedules to squeeze in the World Cup. But with the World Cup about to kickstart with the opening match on November 20 at the Al Bayt Stadium between the host and Ecuador, which received a Court of Arbitration in Sports reprieve …

Schedule ahead of World Cup is ‘crazy,’ says Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta
2 years, 2 months ago

Schedule ahead of World Cup is ‘crazy,’ says Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta

The Hindu  

Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta said the number of games being crammed into the schedule ahead of the World Cup next month is “crazy” and that player welfare is being jeopardised. Chelsea has three league fixtures, two Champions League games and a League Cup tie before the World Cup in Qatar begins on Nov. 20. “It’s difficult and it’s sad because …

UEFA urges FIFA to stop pushing biennial World Cup plan
3 years, 3 months ago

UEFA urges FIFA to stop pushing biennial World Cup plan

The Hindu  

European football's governing body UEFA has urged FIFA to stop pushing its plan for a two-year World Cup and instead to engage in "genuine consultation" over reform of the international match calendar. READ | FIFA sets talks with football leaders on biennial World Cup Arsene Wenger, the former Arsenal manager who is now FIFA's head of Global Football Development, said …

CONMEBOL, Jurgen Klopp and Julian Nagelsmann not impressed by FIFA's biennial World Cup plan
3 years, 3 months ago

CONMEBOL, Jurgen Klopp and Julian Nagelsmann not impressed by FIFA's biennial World Cup plan

Firstpost  

Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp seems sure why FIFA is so determined to gain support for the plan, and he’s not pleased by apparent financial motivations. London: South American football’s governing body joined Europe in opposing FIFA’s push for World Cups every two years, while leading coaches Jürgen Klopp and Julian Nagelsmann also voiced concerns on Friday. “Although at some point …

CONMEBOL, Klopp and Nagelsmann decry biennial World Cup push
3 years, 3 months ago

CONMEBOL, Klopp and Nagelsmann decry biennial World Cup push

New Indian Express  

CONMEBOL's resistance to doubling the frequency of World Cups is striking given its president, Alejandro Domínguez, proposed the same concept to FIFA in 2018. “Although at some point CONMEBOL supported the project in question, technical analysis showed that it is highly unviable.” European governing body UEFA has threatened to boycott the World Cup if FIFA doesn't stick with holding it …

CONMEBOL criticises FIFA's idea of biennial World Cup
3 years, 3 months ago

CONMEBOL criticises FIFA's idea of biennial World Cup

The Hindu  

The South American Football Confederation criticised the idea of a biennial World Cup on Friday, saying such plans were “highly unviable” and would put a “practically impossible burden” on football’s international calendar. “There is no sporting justification to cut the time period between World Cups.” Its position against the moves come a day after European soccer's governing body UEFA also …

FIFA unveils biennial World Cup plan, UEFA threatens boycott
3 years, 4 months ago

FIFA unveils biennial World Cup plan, UEFA threatens boycott

The Hindu  

FIFA detailed its plan for reshaping international football around playing the men’s World Cup every two years despite European opposition that could lead to a boycott. He described FIFA’s proposal as “just amazing.” Still, European football leader Ceferin said “as far as I know, the South Americans are on the same page” with resisting FIFA's plan. “So good luck with …

European club body opposes biennial World Cup plans
3 years, 4 months ago

European club body opposes biennial World Cup plans

The Hindu  

European Leagues, the body representing professional club competitions on the continent, has firmly and unanimously opposed any proposals to stage the World Cup every two years. European Leagues is the latest among a number of stakeholders in the game who have expressed concerns over FIFA's plans for a biennial World Cup. FIFA, acting on a suggestion made by the Saudi …

FIFA president Infantino cites 'too many meaningless' games in international football
3 years, 4 months ago

FIFA president Infantino cites 'too many meaningless' games in international football

The Hindu  

FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Wednesday questioned the international match calendar, saying that there were too many meaningless games and that such a structure was unsustainable for the health of players and the global game. Speaking in Doha, where FIFA is conducting a part of its feasibility study into the practicalities of staging a World Cup every two years, Infantino …

Soccer leagues resist FIFA plan for World Cup every 2 years
3 years, 4 months ago

Soccer leagues resist FIFA plan for World Cup every 2 years

Associated Press  

ZURICH — The global group of national soccer leagues said Wednesday it will oppose FIFA’s plans to play the men’s World Cup every two years. “A biennial World Cup would negatively disrupt the football economy and undermine players’ welfare in a calendar that is already overloaded,” the World Leagues Forum said in a statement. “FIFA’s leadership cannot be able to …

FIFA kicks off process to ease international calender from 2024
4 years, 10 months ago

FIFA kicks off process to ease international calender from 2024

The Hindu  

FIFA began the process Thursday of sorting out how to fit international games into soccer’s congested schedule from 2024, with complex talks expected to find agreement with clubs, leagues and player unions. The so-called International Match Calendar decides the dates for national team games — when clubs must release players — for at least four years ahead. FIFA has added …

Players union says football calendar is harming star players
5 years, 5 months ago

Players union says football calendar is harming star players

The Hindu  

Top players are being put at risk by an increasingly crowded international calendar that gives them no chance to recover from matches and travel, said their union, FIFPRO, in a report published Thursday. “Although the demands on players are increasing, their physical and psychological capacity has natural limits.” READ | Messi, Ronaldo, Hazard shortlisted for Best FIFA Men's Player award …

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