World Football Players' Union FIFPRO backs compulsory breaks for footballers

What is being said by FIFPRO after data findings

World Football Players’ Union FIFPRO has come out in heavy support for footballers to receive compulsory breaks in order to avoid physical burn out.

In their proposal, FIFPRO have stated – backed by data – that players should be dropped from selection after as little as three matches inside the ‘critical zone’ regarding fitness levels and injury concerns. The recommendation was based on data from roughly 40,000 appearances by 265 players (male) from forty-four leagues in a time period spanning June 2018 until August 2021.

Compulsory breaks to prevent player burnout are urgently needed, world players' union FIFPRO has said 🤕

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) October 5, 2021

FIFPRO general secretary Jonas Baer-Hoffmann elaborates on the concerns in quotes via SkySports;

“The data shows we must release pressure on players at the top end of the game and this report provides new research why we need regulation and enforcement mechanisms to protect players.

These are the type of solutions that must be at the top of the agenda whenever we discuss the development of the match calendar. It’s time to make player health and performance a priority.

It is far less problematic to do it this way than to wait for the muscle tear to come, and then the player is out six weeks and nobody sees them, which ultimately harms the competitions and the fan experience more.”

Premier League stars highlight the need for compulsory breaks

With specific data cited in the SkySports report, Premier League stars Harry Kane, Heung-Min Son, Bruno Fernandes were used as chief examples regarding just how close to the sun players are flying in recent seasons.

Regarding Manchester United’s spot-taker in chief Bruno Fernandes, the bulk of the minutes in the ‘critical zone’ logged by the former Sporting Lisbon man never dropped below 68-percent while the Portuguese international hit the 100-percent mark on multiple occasions.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 25: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manager of Manchester United with Bruno Fernandes after the Premier League match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford on September 25, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

The stress on players was also highlighted through Tottenham duo Kane & Son regarding the amount of travel top level footballers endure, making it harder for their bodies to recover from the physical strains.

During the aforementioned three-year period of study, Kane logged over 14,000 minutes while Son was not far behind with a shade over 13,500. But the real issue comes from the distance traveled for the South Korean international, who posted a ridiculous 223,637 kilometers traveled compared to Kane’s 86,267.

With the current physical demands of the modern game coupled with the travel requirements placed on footballers in an ever-increasing compact schedule between club and international commitments, the stance that FIFPRO are taking is certainly a necessary one.