June 14 – The general secretary of FIFPro, the world players’ union, has written a powerful open letter to players competing in international tournaments across the globe this summer urging them to make a stand against the demands of a calendar he says is taking its toll on their mental and physical health.
With the Euros, Copa America, Gold Cup and Tokyo Olympics either under way or soon to get started, Jonas Baer-Hoffman says it is “time for change” in terms of challenging football’s authorities.
“As you line up for some of the biggest games of your career …we are well aware of the intensity of the demands being placed on you, both physically and mentally,” he writes.
“Though progress has been made on players rights at the biggest competitions, one thing is still clear: these decisions can no longer be made without you being front and centre.
“You play the game but you are also the ones facing the consequences of decisions taken without our voice. The face of the game is the players, not the administrators.
“For the last four years, men and women players around the world have told us how the competition calendar does not adequately cater to, or even consider, their needs. Conditions in and around the game leave you mentally and physically exhausted.”
“It’s time for change. It’s time for the collective of players – through their unions – to sit in their rightful position in the game. In the coming months we will negotiate on your behalf with FIFA and other stakeholders for you to have more say as we push for a fairer and more reasonable schedule, more equitable conditions and greater safeguards and protections on and off the pitch.”
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