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FIFPro, the global footballers' union, released an official statement urging the need for a longer football offseason on Monday. The union’s worries concern 15 players who played in the 2018 Russia World Cup only to start their UEFA competitions two to four weeks later — urging the need for longer breaks.
FIFPro is aware of at least 15 footballers who have played in @UEFA competitions two to four weeks after participating in the 2018 @FIFAWorldCup, leaving them without a sufficient offseason break: https://t.co/fZuYOkHAuz pic.twitter.com/g9tDu5KKb8
— FIFPro (@FIFPro) July 30, 2018
The 53-year-old organization based in Hoofddorp, Netherlands, further stated:
“While FIFPro understands the financial implications of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League for clubs, the health of these players is being put at risk because of such a congested match schedule," FIFPro stated. "Players are coming under too much pressure, caught between the needs of their clubs and their own personal well-being.”
The union also mentioned a potential clash with FIFA as the statement accused football’s governing body to have “slated” FIFPro’s input about the match calendar. FIFPro suggested a mandatory four-week minimum break for players between the end of one season and the start of another.
“A mandatory four-week break is based on the latest medical research and views of players on football’s match calendar,” FIFPro concluded, citing their compelling study.
Between February and April, FIFPro surveyed 543 players — 300 of whom represent their national football teams.
OUT TODAY
FIFPro is publishing a pre-World Cup survey of football playersMore here:https://t.co/BQoc4XRpke pic.twitter.com/KpITZgcrF9
— FIFPro (@FIFPro) June 8, 2018
The union claims 88 percent of players surveyed want a mid-season break with an average of two weeks off. It also proposed the following minimum requirements of player health protection:
- Players must have at least 72 hours recovery time between matches (and no more than three matches every two weeks).
- Players must have extra recovery time after long international flights.
- Players must have a mid-season break of 10 to 14 days.
- Players must have an off season break of four to six weeks (not including preseason training).
Iceland’s Arnor Traustason played and lost against Croatia in the World Cup on June 26. Exactly two weeks later on July 10, Traustason reported for duty with Swedish club Malmo for a Champions League qualifier.
Traustason did score in the 3-1 win over Drita, but would it be without the two week break?
Check på första ronden! Matchen slutar 3-0. Vi tar med oss ett bra resultat hem till Malmö.#DFCMFF pic.twitter.com/OsqkO5PA7z
— Malmö FF (@Malmo_FF) July 10, 2018
FIFPro officials also expressed their discontent on the current state of match congestion, claiming a lack of an efficient break leads to injury and other major issues.
“Some of the world’s leading players feel they are playing more than their comfort level, which makes them vulnerable to injury,” Dr. Vincent Gouttebarge said, FIFPro’s chief medical officer.
FIFPro General Secretary Theo van Seggelen also commented on the survey’s findings.
“The health and performance capacity of players is not adequately safeguarded in current competition calendars," van Seggelen said. "Together with the other stakeholders we need to urgently set international standards around what we consider are minimum requirements to protect the health of professional footballers and to create a better balance in the international match calendar.”
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