Kevin De Bruyne, the Manchester City midfielder and Belgium captain, recently expressed his concerns over the impact of a crammed football calendar on players’ health and performance. De Bruyne highlighted the issue of added fixtures in both club and international competitions, pointing out that the schedule is getting increasingly demanding for players.
FIFPRO’s European member unions have taken legal action against FIFA over the expanded men’s 32-team Club World Cup, scheduled to start next June in the United States. The complaint revolves around the lack of consideration for player welfare and the relentless addition of matches by football’s governing bodies.
De Bruyne emphasized that the concerns raised by players and player associations often fall on deaf ears, with FIFA and UEFA prioritizing financial gains over the well-being of the players. He lamented the fact that despite numerous discussions and complaints, no concrete solutions have been implemented to address the issue.
Contrary to the growing concerns about player workload, a report by the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) suggested that there has been no significant increase in elite player workload since the 2000s. The report indicated that top clubs like Manchester City participate in a considerable number of official matches organized by different leagues and federations each season.
The report also highlighted the challenges faced by players in terms of recovery time between matches. Premier League clubs, in particular, have one of the shortest recovery times between games, with England recording the highest number of domestic back-to-back matches among the top European leagues. This lack of sufficient recovery time can have detrimental effects on players’ physical and mental well-being.
The concerns raised by Kevin De Bruyne and other players regarding the crowded football calendar are valid and urgent. The prioritization of financial interests over player welfare is a growing issue that needs to be addressed by football’s governing bodies. It is essential to find a balance between the commercial aspects of the sport and the health and performance of the players to ensure the sustainability and success of football in the long run.
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