UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has addressed the criticism from certain footballers regarding the congested football calendar, expressing confusion as to why it is predominantly higher-paid players voicing their concerns.
Ceferin pointed out that the more matches that are played, the more revenue is generated, allowing clubs to pay the high wages demanded by top players.
He argued that it is ironic for well-paid players to complain, given that the increased game schedule directly contributes to their salaries.
He also noted that players earning lower wages and clubs with smaller squads seem to remain silent, likely because they rely on this revenue to sustain their operations.
“Players complaining about the calendar? Who is complaining? Those who have higher salaries and those who have 25 top-level players.
Those who earn less and only have 11 players don’t complain, and they love to play,” he said, as shared by Madrid Universal on X.
Ceferin’s remarks came after prominent players from top European leagues threatened to strike if the congested football calendar is not adjusted.
These players, including Manchester City’s Rodri, Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal, Barcelona’s Jules Koundé, and Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk, among others, argue that playing over 60 matches in a single season places undue strain on their health due to the physical and mental demands involved.
They emphasised that the intense schedule takes a significant toll on their well-being, calling for changes to protect player health.