Football Players Threaten Strike Over Workload, Says PFA Chief

Football players are reportedly considering going on strike due to being overworked, according to the chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), Maheta Molango. Molango has expressed concerns about the congested football calendar, particularly in light of the proposed expansion of the 32-team Club World Cup next summer. He shared an anecdote about speaking to players directly affected by the issue, stating that some of them expressed a willingness to strike. The PFA has been advocating for changes to the football calendar and has even threatened legal action. In May, a letter was sent to FIFA by Fifpro and the World Leagues Association (WLA), warning of legal action if plans for the 32-team Club World Cup proceed as scheduled. The letter argues that FIFA should make adjustments to its competitions if it extends them, rather than burdening national leagues and players. The PFA has called for player welfare to be considered, as many players are experiencing physical and mental burnout. A study focusing on young players highlighted the stress their bodies endure and compared the playing time of Jude Bellingham, who has played significantly more minutes than players like David Beckham and Frank Lampard did at the same age. The PFA and Fifpro have emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue, and Molango suggested that external intervention may be necessary to find a resolution. Despite FIFA’s belief that it has considered player welfare in its scheduling, concerns persist among players and player unions. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has addressed the issue of the football calendar, noting that FIFA organizes only a small percentage of matches compared to leagues, associations, and confederations. However, he emphasized that FIFA’s mission is to develop football globally and support Member Associations in countries with limited resources. This ongoing debate highlights the need for a balance between player welfare and global football development.