FIFPro says research shows footballers need mid-season break
FIFPro said in a statement a study of 'calendar congestion and excessive workload' by 70 specialists working in professional men's football for clubs and national teams had recommended safety standards which, it said, international football lacks.
It made 12 recommendations and highlighted several in a press release.
These included mandatory four-week off-season breaks, with two of those commitment free and mandatory mid-season breaks. It also wanted minimum four-week retraining periods after off-season breaks before players return to competition
To manage travel fatigue management football should ensure rest periods after long-haul flights
Specific workload safeguards should be introduced for players under 21.
It also urged 'seasonal match limits and fixture congestion controls'.
'Decoding the human body, performance, and sport-related injuries will be a lifelong scientific exercise for all of us,' Dr. Darren Burgess, Chair of the FIFPro High-Performance Advisory Network, said.
ALSO READ | Who will play FIFA CWC 2025?
'However, the results of this study show that there are certain minimum standards such as adequate rest between matches, and proper off-season breaks, that are common sense, aligned with scientific evidence and, above all, required by global occupational health and safety standards.'
The Dutch-based organisation released the report three days before Sunday's kick off of FIFA's expanded mid-summer Club World Cup in the United States.
FIFPro has led criticism of the lucrative 32-team tournament which has been crammed into an already overloaded schedule.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
A Medal Finish For India! Anahat Singh Reaches Semifinals Of World Squash Junior Championships
Anahat advanced to the semifinals of the 2025 World Junior Championships in Cairo, defeating Egypt's Elkaraksy. The 16-year-old will face Nadien Elhammamy next. India's rising squash sensation Anahat Singh advanced to the semifinals of the 2025 World Junior Championships in Cairo on Thursday after a commanding straight-games victory over Egypt's Malika Elkaraksy. The 16-year-old dispatched Elkaraksy 11-6, 13-11, 11-5 in the quarterfinals, securing herself a guaranteed medal finish at the prestigious tournament. Seeded second in the tournament, Anahat will now face Egypt's Nadien Elhammamy on Friday for a spot in the final. With this win, Anahat remains the only Indian in contention in the women's singles draw, having outlasted her compatriots Anika Dubey, Rudra Singh, Aradhya Porwal, and Navya Sundararajan, all of whom exited in the second round. On the men's side, India's challenge came to an end earlier in the week. Arihant KS, Yusha Nafees, and Aryaveer Dewan were all eliminated in the third round on Tuesday, wrapping up the country's participation in the men's singles category. The Delhi-based teenager made headlines at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where she clinched two bronze medals—one in the women's team event and another in mixed doubles. At the time, she became the youngest Indian to win an Asian Games medal at just 15 years, six months, and 16 days—until Sanjana Bathula later surpassed her record. Anahat was also the youngest member of India's contingent at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. (with agency inputs) view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
Mashaal girls honored in Kolkata for winning Indian Women's League
KOLKATA: UK's diaspora organization Heritage Bengal Global (HBG) and the British deputy high commission in Kolkata, together with the UK-based Kolkata London Club, on Wednesday felicitated Mashaal Girls, the East Bengal women's team for winning the national-level Indian Women's League (IWL) and the state-level Kanyasree Cup. 'The EB women's team had a fantastic season this year, winning the IWL at the national level and the Kanyasree Cup at the local level. Several players from the team also represented India in their stunning performance leading to qualification in the AFC Asian Cup finals,' said Anirban Mukhopadhyay, director of Heritage Bengal Global (HBG) in London. 'The idea is to encourage the girls to keep performing at this level and better, for the club and the country,' said HBG representative and President, Bengal Olympic Association, Chandan Roy Choudhury, who attended the Kolkata event to laud the 14 players from the Mashaal Club. Also present were IFA President Arjit Banerjee, who is the East Bengal Official, head coach Anthony Samson Andrew and team manager Moumi Paul. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata The afternoon also featured Techno India representative Bodhisattwa Mukhrjee handing over the Techno India IFA Shield UK trophy to the British deputy high commissioner of Kolkata, Dr Andrew Fleming, who presented the trophy to East Bengal Official Manab Paul and the women's team's head coach while IFA President Ajit Banerjee and IFA Chairman Subrata Dutta looked on. Fleming viewed this as a glorious example of recognising the club's global fanbase, where a trophy won by their fans in a foreign land was accepted and displayed. The Techno India IFA Shield UK is a football tournament for fans of the three key Maidan clubs, established in the UK in 2018. It has since expanded to Sydney and Scotland. The eighth edition of the UK version was played on July 13, 2025, at the picturesque Tithe Farm Social Club in South Harrow, London, which was vibrant with cheers and the passion of football. Organized by HBG and supported by the Kolkata London Club, Newham Council Vice Chair Cllr Imam Haque, with accreditation from the FA (Football Association of England) as a Community League, the tournament seamlessly blended sporting excellence with cultural pride, said Mukhopadhyay.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
9 hours ago
- First Post
Rishabh Pant's injury suspected to be metatarsal fracture: What is it? How serious is it?
Rishabh Pant had to leave the field on Wednesday after suffering a painful hit to his right foot during Team India's first day of the fourth Test against England. Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting suggested it might be a metatarsal injury due to the visible swelling that appeared immediately. Notably, the metatarsals are the five long bones that extend from the middle of the foot to the toes read more Team India were dealt an early blow on the first day of the fourth Test against England when Rishabh Pant had to leave the field after a painful hit to his right foot. On Wednesday (July 23), bowled a fast yorker that slipped under Pant's attempted no-look sweep and hit him squarely on the foot, just below the toe. Ricky Ponting, the former Australia captain who has worked closely with Pant in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with Delhi Capitals, suggested it could be a metatarsal injury due to the visible swelling that appeared straight away. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Medical tests revealed a toe fracture, and he has been advised to rest for six weeks, The Indian Express reported. But what exactly is a metatarsal injury? And how serious can it be? Let's take a look: What is a metatarsal fracture? The metatarsals are the five long bones that run from the middle of the foot to the toes. These bones can break easily due to accidents, direct impacts, or repetitive activities like running. A metatarsal fracture refers to a partial or complete break in one of these bones, according to the UK-based Physiopedia. The type of treatment depends on where the break has occurred. Notably, metatarsal fractures are among the most common foot injuries treated in emergency and trauma care. Chris Woakes bowled a fast yorker that hit Pant on the foot, just below the toe. Reuters Treatment usually focuses on correcting the alignment of the bones, which helps maintain the natural arch of the foot and ensures even weight distribution across the foot, according to the American National Library of Medicine. With proper care, these fractures generally heal well. However, if the bones do not heal correctly or fail to join, they may lead to long-term issues. The second and third metatarsals often face more pressure while walking. As a result, stress fractures in these bones are common, especially among soldiers or people doing repetitive walking. This type of injury is often referred to as a 'marcher's fracture.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The most frequent site of metatarsal fractures is at the base of the fifth metatarsal, usually caused when the foot twists inwards. The fifth metatarsal runs along the outer edge of the foot and connects to the little toe. Metatarsal fractures make up around 5% to 6% of all fractures seen in the US, according to Cleveland Clinic. While anyone can suffer from them, men in their 30s and women in their 70s are more likely to experience a fifth metatarsal break. Is surgery required? Most metatarsal fractures heal without surgery, according to the US-based Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA), which includes orthopaedic surgeons, researchers and medical experts. In such cases, doctors usually recommend a cast, a protective shoe or boot, and may restrict how much weight can be placed on the foot. The healing process typically takes around 12 weeks. However, if the bone breaks through the skin, surgery is necessary to reposition and secure the bone properly. Notably, a Jones fracture, often seen in athletes and people with high activity levels, is one type of metatarsal fracture that commonly requires surgery. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Recovery in such cases can involve up to eight weeks of avoiding any pressure on the foot. Even so, with proper treatment, most metatarsal injuries heal well. Rishabh Pant ruled out of England tour An official update on the nature of was shared on Thursday. It has been confirmed that Rishabh Pant will play no further role in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, as he has been ruled out of the rest of the Test series against England. The wicketkeeper-batter has been advised six weeks of rest due to the toe fracture, as per media reports. Pant has been in top form, scoring two centuries and two half-centuries so far in the series. Reuters A BCCI source told The Indian Express that the medical team is exploring whether Pant can return to bat by taking a painkiller, but the chances are bleak. Meanwhile, the selection committee is set to add Ishan Kishan to the squad for the fifth Test, which will be held at The Oval from July 31 to August 4, as Pant will not be available for the final match, according to the report. Earlier, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting said the swelling and Pant's inability to bear weight on his foot are worrying signs. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'He (Pant) hardly put his foot on the ground. The immediate swelling was the worry for me. I've had a metatarsal injury myself, and they're small, fragile bones. The fact he couldn't put any weight on it, it doesn't look good at all,' Ponting said on Sky Sports. Notably, Pant had to be taken off the field in a golf-style buggy, clearly in pain. He was brought to the ground's medical facility, where India Test Captain Shubman Gill checked on him. Later, the BCCI confirmed that Pant, India's vice-captain, had been taken to hospital for scans. 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲: Rishabh Pant was hit on his right foot while batting on Day 1 of the Manchester Test. He was taken for scans from the stadium. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress. — BCCI (@BCCI) July 23, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He has been in top form, scoring two centuries and two half-centuries so far in the series. Notably, India is already battling a growing injury list, with all-rounder Nitesh Kumar Reddy (knee) ruled out of the series, and pacers Akash Deep (groin) and Arshdeep Singh (thumb) also unavailable for the fourth Test.
