By Daily Sports Nigeria on July 24, 2024

Fifa has responded strongly to the action, accusing some leagues of "hypocrisy" by sending their players on global pre-season tours.

A Fifa spokesperson said: "The current calendar was unanimously approved by the Fifa Council, which is composed of representatives from all continents, including Europe, following a comprehensive and inclusive consultation, which included Fifpro and league bodies.

"Fifa's calendar is the only instrument ensuring that international football can continue to survive, co-exist, and prosper alongside domestic and continental club football.

"Some leagues in Europe - themselves competition organisers and regulators - are acting with commercial self-interest, hypocrisy, and without consideration to everyone else in the world.

"Those leagues apparently prefer a calendar filled with friendlies and summer tours, often involving extensive global travel.

"By contrast, Fifa must protect the overall interests of world football, including the protection of players, everywhere and at all levels of the game."

A recent study by the CIES Football Observatory, external - a research group at the International Centre for Sports Studies - on schedules and player workload suggested that clubs are not playing more matches per season.

Its report found that between 2012 and 2024, the average number of fixtures per club and season sat at just over 40, with about 5% of clubs playing 60 or more games per season.

No significant change was observed in the proportion of clubs playing 60 or more matches.

Source BBC Sports

Posted July 24, 2024

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