FIFPro Chief Reveals Top Footballers Fear Speaking Out on Overloaded Match Schedules
Top footballers are hesitant to voice concerns about the overwhelming number of matches they are required to play due to fears about the potential repercussions on their careers, according to Alex Phillips, general secretary of global players’ union FIFPro.
Phillips made this statement following a significant meeting in Amsterdam with representatives from 58 national player unions, aimed at addressing growing concerns over how FIFA is managing global football. The gathering occurred less than two weeks after the inaugural 32-team Club World Cup in the United States, which FIFA president Gianni Infantino hailed as a major success but faced criticism from FIFPro for its impact on players already grappling with congested schedules.
“Before the Club World Cup, I spoke to some of the top stars, and they expressed that they hadn’t had a proper rest in quite some time,” Phillips shared. “One player even remarked, ‘I’ll only get a rest when I get injured.’ Others seemed resigned and cynical about the prospect of speaking out.”
He highlighted a troubling contradiction: players who would normally voice their concerns were later seen promoting the Club World Cup on social media, seemingly under pressure from their clubs. “You have this contradictory situation where players can’t speak up. They are in an invidious position,” Phillips noted. “They can voice their opinions, but it might have consequences.”
FIFPro has criticized FIFA’s recent emphasis on the Club World Cup as an example of the organization neglecting the more pressing issues facing players worldwide. In a statement, FIFPro argued, “It is unacceptable for an organization that claims global leadership to turn a blind eye to the basic needs of the players,” citing the overloaded match calendar, health concerns during the Club World Cup, and an ongoing disregard for players’ social rights.
Last year, FIFPro Europe filed a complaint with the European Commission, accusing FIFA of abusing its power in managing the international match calendar. The recent summit was particularly significant given that FIFPro was excluded from a FIFA meeting held just before the Club World Cup final.
Sergio Marchi, the president of FIFPro from Argentina, has been vocal in his criticism of Infantino’s leadership style, describing it as an “autocracy” in a recent interview.
In response, FIFA issued a statement expressing disappointment with FIFPro’s increasingly divisive stance. The organization emphasized its commitment to dialogue with legitimate bodies focused on player welfare and pointed out that it had previously attempted to engage FIFPro in discussions.
