FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing increasing criticism for allegedly disregarding the welfare of players amidst an expanding global match calendar, particularly with the revamped Club World Cup. Accusations range from overseeing a "massacre" of player well-being to "trampling" on their physical and mental health for financial gain.
The French players' union, UNFP, has been particularly vocal, demanding an end to what they call a "game of massacre". They claim that Infantino, residing in his "ivory tower," is indifferent to the impact of congested schedules on players. The expanded Club World Cup, now featuring 32 teams, has become a focal point of this criticism. The UNFP argues the tournament exacerbates an already exhausting season, violating collective bargaining agreements that ensure players receive at least three weeks of rest between seasons. Instead, players are forced into high-stakes matches, increasing the risk of injuries and burnout.
Adding to the controversy, the UNFP highlighted that Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) players recently completed their 62nd match of the season, heading directly into the Club World Cup after Euro 2024, a long domestic season, and Nations League duties. The union emphasized that the players' right to a three-week off-season break, protected by labor agreements in many countries, is being violated. They also voiced concerns that the extra games could negatively impact the French national team.
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, now head of global football at Red Bull, has also criticized the Club World Cup, calling it the "worst idea ever implemented in football". He expressed fears that players will suffer unprecedented injuries due to the increased workload.
Despite the criticism, Infantino has defended FIFA's approach, asserting that player health and welfare remain a key consideration. He stated that the Club World Cup takes place once every four years and involves a limited number of games for each team, thus having a minimal impact on player welfare. Infantino also mentioned that a FIFA task force, led by Arsene Wenger, is analyzing the impact of the Club World Cup on players. He has even claimed that players prefer playing to training. FIFA has also argued that it is responsible for a small percentage of club games.
However, critics argue that FIFA's revamped Club World Cup and other expanded tournaments will increase the number of matches each season, leaving players with insufficient rest between campaigns. FIFPRO, the global players' union, along with Spain's La Liga and the European leagues' group, filed a joint complaint to European Union antitrust regulators, accusing FIFA of "calendar abuse".
The debate over overloaded schedules and respect for player rights is intensifying. With legal challenges and public backlash mounting, FIFA and Infantino may face increasing pressure to address the concerns about player welfare. Some stars have voiced fears about the rising risk of injuries from the relentless schedule, with some warning they were approaching breaking point. The UNFP has declared its support for FIFPRO and FIFPRO Europe in denouncing the workload, arguing that the congested calendar undermines player welfare and domestic competitions.
