Players have issued a warning to FIFA, indicating they are prepared to strike over concerns about an overloaded playing calendar, according to Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) CEO Maheta Molango.
Global players’ union FIFPRO is spearheading a joint lawsuit with several European leagues, including LaLiga and the Premier League.
Just two days before the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund in London, the Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A, and the PFA convened to discuss countermeasures against FIFA’s plan to increase the number of matches in the upcoming season, particularly with the new Club World Cup on the horizon.
PFA CEO Molango, who has been advocating for change since February, asserts that players have reached their breaking point. He argues that football’s congested schedule jeopardizes players’ health and reduces the sport’s quality.
“I can tell you a situation not 10 days ago where I went into a dressing room that was directly affected and said: ‘I’m happy to be here and bark a bit, but ultimately it’s up to you. How far do you want to go?”‘
Molango said on Thursday.
“Some of them said: ‘I’m not having it, we might as well go on strike.’ Some said: ‘What’s the point? Yes, I’m a millionaire, but I don’t even have time to spend the money.'”
Demands on players have increased in recent years, as tournaments expanded and new competitions emerged, with players and managers saying that the calendar demanded too many matches.
“It was not even the union that said it, it was Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola. We have reached a point where we cannot rule out any action,” Molango said.
Global players’ union FIFPRO, together with the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) and the World Leagues Association (WLA), are persisting in their threat of legal action if FIFA does not revise its plans.
In a letter to FIFA president Gianni Infantino and general secretary Mattias Grafstrom, they voiced their concerns regarding the expansion of the 32-team Club World Cup.
FIFA, however, rejected the claims of unilateral decision-making favoring its competitions in the international calendar and indicated it would not consider rescheduling the tournament.
“Some of the changes in England with the domestic calendar have been forced by what FIFA and UEFA have done. What has happened is further confirmation that something needs to be done,” Molango said.
“We will always try to exhaust all diplomatic avenues, we have sent a letter, we have received a reply, but unfortunately time is against us. Sometimes between grown-up people, despite trying very hard to find solutions you need a third party to decide, maybe an arbitrator or a tribunal.”