FIFPRO: 84% of French coaches put fatigued players on the court, and 54% of players are injured and have to play

September 11th, FIFPRO European Branch of the International Professional Players Association called for the reduction of the burden on players and avoid the injury problems caused by overwork.

The recent window of international matches once again highlights the negative impact of the dense football schedule on player health and the tension between the club and the national team due to increased injuries. The injuries of well-known players such as Dembele, Douai, Frankie DeJong, Stones, Palmer, Colville, Drapp and others are only part of the visible symptoms of the workload crisis facing professional football.

The players' union has long warned that the international match schedule is neither safe nor sustainable. According to FIFPRO's player workload monitoring report, the 2023/2024 season report shows that 84% of French coaches are forced to put players who need rest on the court under the pressure of performance. Public expectations, personal commitments and internal pressures undermine players’ ability to protect their health and careers. The same report also found that 54% of French players were forced to play in the game under injury.

2025 FIFA Club World Cup will undermine the minimum player workload safeguards recommended by independent high-performance experts in the FIFPRO medical position statement, which include 28-day offseason recovery time and 28-day pre-season training time.

"We have reached the point where we must change," said David Trier, president of FIFPRO Europe. "If there is no urgent reform of the international calendar, establish specific health and safety regulations, and coordinate all events properly, players will continue to be at risk because of business and political interests."

"The impact is not limited to players, but it is increasingly felt by clubs, national teams, fans and domestic leagues. The solution is clear and as trade unions, leagues, clubs, fans, governing bodies and public authorities, it is our responsibility to find a reasonable solution through social dialogue and collective agreements."

FIFPRO Europe continues to promote the implementation of mandatory health and safety regulations and strengthen enforceable coordination between clubs and national teams, while working with all stakeholders to establish a calendar that protects players' health and ensures the sustainable future of football through collective agreements and social dialogue.