Top footballers could go on STRIKE over new 73-match-a-season calendar as Man City star Rodri joins Liverpool’s Alisson with a powerful speech railing against new Champions League format
Rodri, favourite for the Ballon d’Or, revealed that the world stars are considering going on strike due to the increasingly busy football schedule.
The Manchester City midfielder was positive about players being treated as commodities, admitting that the lack of rest is a concern for professionals and a constant source of discussion in the dressing rooms.
Pep Guardiola’s side begin their Champions League campaign against Internazionale on Wednesday and could play a total of 73 games in a season that is unlikely to be completed until July given their participation in the new Club World Cup.
I think we are close to that [striking]’, said Rodri. ‘It’s easy to understand [why]. Ask any player and they would say the same thing. If it continues like this, there will come a point where we have no other option. It is something that worries us.
“I think it’s too much. Somebody has to take care of us, because we are the main characters of this sport, or business, or whatever you want to call it. It’s not all about money or marketing, it’s also about the quality of the show.”
Rodri has revealed that the world’s top players are considering going on strike over scheduling concerns
Manchester City could play up to 73 games this season as fixtures continue to be added to the football calendar
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson has criticised the new format of the Champions League, with the PFA pursuing legal action against FIFA
Rodri joined Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson in criticising an increasingly lengthy fixture list, as the PFA takes legal action against FIFA over an “overloaded and unworkable” schedule.
The Spain international, who played 5,275 minutes in 61 games for club and country last season, pointed to Erling Haaland’s extended summer break as the reason for a lightning start to this campaign.
“He has had a long break because his country did not qualify for the European Championship and you see how he is performing,” Rodri added.
“It gives you an idea of why we ask this. I think a player can perform at the highest level for 40 to 50 games. After that you drop, because it is impossible to maintain the physical level.
“If people want to see better football, we have to rest. If the number of matches increases, the performance and quality of the matches decreases.”
A PFA spokesman said: ‘Over the past few weeks our members have made their feelings about the fixture schedule and player workload very clear.
A PFA spokesman has called for players and their union to be heard amid the furore surrounding the matches.
‘Players and their associations have asked to be heard and to play a central role in these processes. When they are ignored, the natural consequence is that players will consider all the options available to them.
‘Players repeatedly say enough is enough, and this should be a serious warning to the authorities.’