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UEFA and FIFPRO urged for action as fixture congestion threatens player health, citing cases like Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembele, and called for unity among football bodies.
Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal both are currently ruled out of action for their respective clubs due to injuries (AFP)
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin and FIFPRO Europe President David Terrier have issued a joint call for action to safeguard player health, warning that the increasingly congested football calendar has reached a “tipping point.”
The debate over fixture congestion has intensified in recent years, with the expansion of international tournaments, new competitions such as the UEFA Nations League, and longer club seasons leaving players with little recovery time.
Concerns Over Injuries and Player Management
The issue has been brought into sharper focus after Barcelona coach Hansi Flick criticized Spain’s handling of teenage star Lamine Yamal’s groin injury.
Flick claimed the 18-year-old was given painkillers so he could play in World Cup qualifiers, despite already complaining of discomfort.
PSG also raised concerns this month, accusing France’s medical staff of ignoring club advice on injury management after Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue returned from international duty carrying knocks.
France’s players’ union (UNFP) has echoed these frustrations, warning that the relentless international calendar is putting athletes at risk.
A Call for Unity
Ceferin and Terrier, who met in Albania last week, urged governing bodies, clubs, leagues, and unions to work together on solutions that balance the needs of competitions with the health of players.
“Our collaboration with FIFPRO Europe reflects a shared responsibility to protect player health and strengthen the foundations of the game,” Ceferin said.
“National team football remains a pillar of Europe’s identity and unity. As demands on players grow, it’s more important than ever to work together … to find balanced solutions for the future of the sport.”
Terrier added: “We all recognise that the calendar has reached a tipping point. In Europe, we are fortunate to have the tools and the partners – including clubs, leagues, and national associations – to build protocols that protect the well-being of players and ensure that both national team and club football continue to inspire, unite and grow.”
(with Reuters inputs)
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term…Read More
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term… Read More
September 16, 2025, 11:14 is
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