'They will break down': Wright-Phillips sides with players on scheduling conflict

Former Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips backed players speaking out against football's overcrowded schedule, citing its toll on their performance and health. Wright-Phillips emphasized the importance of adequate rest, echoing concerns of stars like Kevin De Bruyne and Dani Carvajal.

In Short

• Shaun Wright-Phillips supported players' concerns over the congested schedule.
• Kevin De Bruyne criticized FIFA's focus on business over welfare.
• Expanded club competitions have chances of risking injuries and fatigue.

Former Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips believes that players voicing their concerns about the over-packed football schedule are entirely justified. In a recent interaction with *India Today*, the former England international discussed how the new format of the UEFA Champions League, along with other European competitions, has significantly increased the number of games for top clubs.

Wright-Phillips explained that this gruelling schedule is bound to take a tremendous toll on the players, leading to exhaustion and a higher risk of injuries. Several prominent players, including Dani Carvajal of Real Madrid, Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City, and Jules Koundé of FC Barcelona, have expressed their frustrations with the packed football calendar.

"Well, I think, first of all, players like that play pretty much 100% of the games, if they're not injured. I think you have to take notice. I think if you want longevity in a game, and you want big players like that to be in a game for say, many ways, as long as Ronaldo and Messi, they weren't playing with the schedule this demanding in many ways. It's hard, especially within the Premier League. I think people forget when you come out the back of COVID. I don't think the players have actually had a full summer where they've actually shut their bodies down to rest with the international tournaments and other tournaments going on," Wright-Phillips said.

Many of these big names like Kounde and Carvajal have even discussed the possibility of players going on strike in protest. These players argue that the current schedule does not consider the physical and mental strain they endure, which increases the likelihood of suffering serious injuries.

Wright-Phillips, who once donned the jersey of Manchester City, referenced the era of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s dominance in European football. He emphasised that players are only able to perform at their best when given sufficient rest. Without proper recovery, even the most talented footballers cannot maintain their peak form throughout an extended season.

"So in many ways, I agree with them. I think now, if say City or Liverpool or maybe Real Madrid, I'm not sure about their schedule, get to the final of everything. That's only 75 games a season. For me, I think it's too much, not just physically but mentally. People will eventually break down. I think when you put a Club World Cup in a rest period where, normally, if there are no internationals playing, that is your brain, that's now gone. Where are these players resting and recovering? So then more and more people start to break down. But I hope it really doesn't happen, but you can see every possibility," Wright-Phillips added.

As Wright-Phillips pointed out, elite teams like Manchester City or Real Madrid could end up playing around 80 matches in a single season. In addition to expanded club competitions like the UEFA Champions League, players are also expected to participate in the UEFA Nations League, FIFA Club World Cup, international friendlies, and FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The relentless schedule is a heavy burden for athletes who are already playing at the highest level.

Recently, Manchester City’s star midfielder and captain Kevin De Bruyne called out football governing bodies, accusing FIFA and UEFA of prioritizing profit over player welfare. His remarks have echoed throughout the football community, igniting further debate about the current state of the game.

"The real problem will emerge after the Club World Cup...We know there will be only three weeks between the Club World Cup final and the first Premier League match. So, we have three weeks to rest and prepare for another 80 matches...The issue is that UEFA and FIFA keep adding extra matches, and we can raise concerns, but no solutions have been found. It seems that money speaks louder than the players' voices," De Bruyne said.

In response to these growing concerns, FIFPRO's European member unions have reportedly initiated legal action against FIFA, challenging the expanded 32-team Club World Cup, which is set to begin next June in the United States. With the increase in the revolting words of the players, and the potential of them going on strike regarding the same, this period could mark a significant moment in the battle for player welfare.