Chelsea has left Cole Palmer out of their squad for the opening stages of the UEFA Conference League in an effort to manage the England star’s workload. This decision highlights the growing concerns about player burnout in the face of an expanding football calendar. FIFPro, the global footballers’ union, has called out football governing bodies for their lack of care towards players, advocating for guaranteed rest periods and limits on the number of games.
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.
European Leagues and FIFPRO Europe, joined by English, French, and Italian player unions, are filing an antitrust complaint against FIFA with the European Commission, alleging FIFA’s international match calendar is unsustainable and favors FIFA’s own commercial interests. The complaint argues FIFA abuses its dominant position in the sport, creating a conflict of interest.
