FIFA announces new measures to protect players

FIFA announced that it had agreed with player representatives on the need to grant players a 72-hour break between matches and at least 21 days of rest at the end of each season.

The discussions took place on the eve of the Club World Cup final in the United States between Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, a tournament held during the European season’s break.

The latter has come under fire from players’ associations, as the growing focus on player welfare has led to calls for mandatory rest periods and increased attention to player safety during matches. Just days before the start of the Club World Cup, football officials renewed their calls for player protection amid growing fears of injury and fatigue.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino and other officials from the world football governing body met with representatives of players’ associations from around the world in New York, describing the discussions as “progressive,” adding that player health was a “top priority.”

According to FIFA: “There is a consensus on the need for at least 72 hours of rest between matches, and that players should have a rest/holiday period of at least 21 days at the end of each season. This period should be managed individually by each club and its players, according to their match schedules, taking into account existing collective bargaining agreements.”

Pending Changes

A weekly rest day should also be allowed, and travel requirements and weather conditions will be taken into account when planning future competitions, FIFA said.

A strict 72-hour period could lead to significant adjustments to some match schedules and television contracts. FIFA has not revealed how this will be implemented in practice, as European teams typically play their Europa League matches on Thursday evenings and domestic league matches on Sundays. With a 72-hour break imposed, these teams may have to wait until Monday to play again.

Consequences

The change will be a major problem for several Bundesliga leagues, as matches that had been played on Monday evenings since 2021 have been canceled after years of fan protests. The Bundesliga’s new television broadcasting contract, which begins next season, does not include any Monday matches.