Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has expressed his concern about the impact of a jam-packed football calendar on player health and performance. De Bruyne believes that the relentless schedule, fueled by the expansion of European club competitions and the upcoming Club World Cup, prioritizes financial gains over player welfare. He argues that despite player associations raising concerns, FIFA and UEFA are prioritizing financial interests over player well-being.
The global players’ union FIFPRO is challenging FIFA in court over the increasing demands placed on footballers due to the expansion of international competitions. FIFPRO argues that the constant scheduling of international tournaments is detrimental to player health and well-being, citing the example of Erling Haaland’s impressive start to the season due to his summer break compared to players who participated in Euro 2024.
FIFA’s latest research reveals a decline in spending on international men’s player transfers during the June-to-September window. While clubs still committed $6.46 billion, this figure marks a drop from the previous year’s $7.43 billion. The report highlights key trends, including the impact of free agent transfers and the significant spending by English clubs.
FIFA has postponed its decision on a Palestinian request to suspend Israel from international football due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The decision, originally scheduled for July, will now be addressed in October after FIFA receives an independent legal assessment of the proposal.
Indian international footballer Manisha Kalyan has secured a victory against Brooklyn FC, a USL Super League club, after they breached a pre-contract agreement. FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) ruled in Manisha’s favor, awarding her compensation for the broken contract. The incident highlights the importance of contractual agreements in international football and the role of FIFA in resolving disputes.
Riiohlang Dhar, a 34-year-old from Meghalaya, has become the second Indian woman assistant referee to be selected for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, set to take place in the Dominican Republic. Her appointment is a testament to her dedication and the growing strength of women’s officiating in India.
Issa Hayatou, the long-time leader of African football who served as FIFA’s interim president during its corruption crisis in 2015, has passed away at the age of 77. Hayatou, a prominent figure in international sports, held various influential roles, including president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA vice-president. His death occurred in Paris, where he was an honorary member of the International Olympic Committee. Known for his dedication to sports administration, Hayatou’s legacy is marked by both achievements and controversies.
FIFA has received formal bid books from seven nations vying to host the 2030 and 2034 men’s World Cups, including Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia. The bids will be evaluated by FIFA, with a focus on human rights obligations, before a decision is made in December. This marks the first time FIFA has conducted a human rights assessment for World Cup bidders.
Canada has been deducted six points from the Olympic women’s football tournament and its coach Bev Priestman has been banned for a year following a drone spying scandal. The FIFA investigation also resulted in bans for two Canadian officials, Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mander.
New Zealand Football CEO Andrew Pragnell has called on FIFA to take immediate action following allegations that Canada’s women’s soccer team used drones to spy on New Zealand during practice sessions at the Paris Games. The incident, which resulted in the expulsion of Canada’s assistant coach and team analyst, threatens the integrity of the tournament, according to Pragnell.
