Union: Players need to have a break

WORLD players’ union FIFPro believes the number of matches played in England over the festive period has ‘negative consequences’ for the health and performance of players.

Last night’s match between Tottenham and West Ham was the 40th Premier League game in 14 days, with all teams playing four times over Christmas and the turn of the year, and some playing games with just two days’ rest.

While most European leagues are on a mid-season break, England’s best sides turn their attentions to the FA Cup this weekend, with a Carabao Cup semi-final next week for City.

The Premier League’s current top five also have the first legs of their Champions League last-16 games to play in February, with the second legs in March, and a large proportion of their squads will go straight from the end of the domestic season to their national sides for this summer’s World Cup.

Several Premier League managers have complained about the number of games over the festive period, with City boss Pep Guardiola claiming the fixture list ‘is going to kill’ his players.

FIFPro’s chief medical officer Dr Vincent Gouttebarge said he has been studying the fixture calendar across the globe for several years.

“We have, of course, some concerns about the number of matches played in the festive period in the Premier League, which can have some negative consequences for the performances and health of our players,” he said.

“Muscle injury rates during matches are lower when players are given at least six recovery days between matches.

FIFPro has called for a reform of the global football calendar to allow for proper in-season and off-season breaks.