PFA can be a fixture in FIFA talks
PFA boss Maheta Molango has been appointed to FIFPRO’S global board – with the fixture calendar top of the agenda.
The Professional Footballers’ Association is a unique union in that it has unwavering support from multimillionaire Premier League players as well as all levels of the game.
Player welfare remains the No.1 priority at a time when UEFA is expanding the Champions League and the EFL needs to maintain its long-term future.
What should not be overlooked is a meeting with FIFA last year, after the PFA wrote to Gianni Infantino expressing concerns about Arsene Wenger’s plan for a
World Cup every two years.
“If you want to have the best show then you have to look after the welfare of the players,” said chief executive Molango (above).
“Too many people in the industry don’t understand the game and are only interested in money. The domestic calendar has not evolved much, that’s not the problem. The problem is the international calendar. We have to join together with the EFL, Premier League and the FA.
“We have to be careful when we talk about scrapping replays and so on. That’s the bread and butter for some clubs and there’s no point in removing the fixtures only to replace them with more Champions League games.
“We sent a letter in November from all of the captains of the Premier League and the WSL.
“Infantino jumped on a plane, together with Arsene Wenger, to Manchester and what was noticeable was who was around the table. Paul Pogba, Cesar Azpilicueta, Steph Haughton, Conor Coady and Ben Mee.
“I’d like to think that they listened and will take it on board.”
US assistant referee Kathryn Nesbitt created history as part of a sextet of women – three referees, three assistant referees – who were selected for the World Cup in Qatar.
She will also officiate at the women’s World Cup and hopes that her rise will “open doors for others in football”.
Nesbitt (right) said: “I am very excited for the Women’s World Cup this year. I was able to participate in the 2019 Women’s World Cup and, for me, this was some of the most fun I have ever had.
“The football is incredible and I think we will see even better football this time around, new players, new teams, so I’m very excited.
“I think that all the doors are open now and there are opportunities for everybody. It doesn’t matter if you’re female or male, or any criteria.
“Everybody now has the opportunity to participate at any level of football, so I encourage everybody to work their hardest and achieve their dreams.”