Football’s “Mad” Calendar: A Threat to Players’ Welfare
Football is one of the most popular sports in the world, with millions of fans tuning in to watch their favorite teams and players compete. However, behind the glamour and excitement of the game lies a serious threat to players’ welfare. According to union bosses, the football calendar is becoming increasingly hectic, with players being forced to play too many games in a season. This article will explore the issue in detail and highlight the concerns of players and union bosses.
The Hectic Football Calendar
Premier League clubs are set to play at least 64 summer friendlies in 15 countries over 26 days before the new season starts. This means that players will travel a staggering total of 170,758 miles, which is almost seven times around the planet. Manchester United’s England striker Marcus Rashford has voiced his concerns about the amount of fixtures players play. He insists that the number of games in a season is already too high. West Ham and England midfielder Declan Rice played 61 times for club and country last season, while Manchester City Treble-winner Jack Grealish was involved in 59 games. Both players also featured in an extra three Nations League matches last June.
The Concerns of Players and Union Bosses
Players and union bosses are concerned that the hectic football calendar is putting players’ welfare at risk. PFA chief executive Maheta Molango warned that a properly co-ordinated approach to the football calendar is needed to address the growing pressure being placed on players. He added that players themselves are saying their wellbeing has to be prioritized. Molango is not only worried about the number of pre-season games and international matches but also new tournaments such as Fifa’s re-packaged 32-team Club World Cup, which will be staged in the United States in 2025. He believes that players’ schedules will become even further complicated by the expansion of both club and international calendars in the coming seasons.
The Impact on Players’ Health
The impact of the hectic football calendar on players’ health cannot be overstated. Playing too many games in a season can lead to fatigue, injuries, and burnout. It can also affect players’ mental health, as they struggle to cope with the demands of the game. Rashford spoke of his worries ahead of England’s latest Euro 2024 qualifiers, saying that it is mad that, at club level, they are playing three games a week from November until they get knocked out of Europe. He added that it is difficult, but he is not the one who has to have the answers. In the early stages of his career, he couldn’t make sense of it. Some managers have spoken out against it. If one team plays 60 games a season and another 38, there has to be some time to recover for the team playing 20 more.
The Need for a Balanced and Sustainable Calendar
To address the growing concerns about players’ welfare, a player-first approach is needed, one that acknowledges the need for a balanced and sustainable calendar. Molango believes that space will need to be found alongside the long-distance pre-season tours clubs already take part in. He added that this is crucial for the overall health of the sport. It is important to note that players are not machines; they are human beings who need rest and recovery time to perform at their best. A hectic football calendar not only puts players’ welfare at risk but also affects the quality of the game.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the football calendar is becoming increasingly hectic, with players being forced to play too many games in a season. This is putting players’ welfare at risk and affecting the quality of the game. Players and union bosses are calling for a properly co-ordinated approach to the football calendar, one that prioritizes players’ wellbeing. A player-first approach is needed, one that acknowledges the need for a balanced and sustainable calendar. It is time for football to take a step back and re-evaluate its priorities, putting the health and wellbeing of players first.