As Manchester City gears up for another campaign in the Champions League, an unexpected shift in focus came when Rodri, the star midfielder, expressed concerns about player workloads. “We’re close to [strike action],” Rodri warned during a press conference ahead of City’s clash with Inter Milan.
The notion of a players’ strike has quickly become a serious topic, raising critical questions about its feasibility and potential impact on the sport.
Why Are Players Like Rodri Pushing Back?
Elite footballers, particularly those in Europe’s top leagues, are increasingly frustrated by the relentless schedule. With expanded competitions like UEFA’s Champions League and FIFA’s new Club World Cup, players are expected to exceed the 55-game threshold recommended by FIFPro, the global players’ union.
Rodri and his Manchester City teammates could face up to 75 games this season, a workload that leaves little room for rest or recovery. “It’s too much,” Rodri stated, emphasizing that performance quality is directly linked to adequate rest. Despite earning lucrative contracts, many players argue that their physical and mental health is being compromised, with commercial interests taking precedence over their well-being.
A particular point of contention is the summer schedule, where players are expected to compete in the Club World Cup between June and July. This, on top of the new Champions League format, adds extra matches to an already packed calendar.
The frustration among players has reached the point where industrial action, something previously unthinkable, is now being considered as a last resort to force meaningful change. As Rodri pointed out, the players’ concerns are not about money, but about protecting their physical health and ensuring the sport maintains its quality.
How Close Are Players to Striking?
Although Rodri’s warning makes it seem like a strike could happen imminently, the process of organizing such action is still in its early stages. The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) would need to conduct a strike ballot, requiring the majority support of its nearly 5,000 members. A coordinated strike would only occur if negotiations with stakeholders, including UEFA, FIFA, and domestic leagues, completely fail.
The last time English football came close to a players’ strike was in 2001, when the PFA and Premier League were at odds over the union’s share of broadcast revenue. During that dispute, 99% of players voted in favor of strike action, although the conflict was resolved before any games were impacted. The PFA, along with its European counterparts, remains a key player in any future strike discussions.
The Legal and Practical Challenges of a Strike
Striking in football presents unique challenges. Unlike in other industries where a single employer is the target, elite footballers answer to multiple governing bodies—domestic leagues, national football associations, UEFA, and FIFA. This fragmentation makes organizing collective action much more complex. Each of these organizations could potentially take legal action to block any strike, making it difficult for players to coordinate effectively.
Additionally, the PFA and FIFPro, the global players’ union, would need to be heavily involved in any industrial action. They would also need to weigh the potential repercussions, including the possibility of legal retaliations from football organizations. For instance, any strike action affecting FIFA or UEFA competitions could see players facing legal challenges from these governing bodies.
Despite these hurdles, players’ unions have been gaining ground in their fight for better conditions. Both the PFA and FIFPro have already launched legal action against FIFA, citing the governing body’s unilateral control over the international match calendar as detrimental to players’ health.
How Would a Strike Impact Competitions?
While it remains unclear which competitions would be most vulnerable to strike action, FIFA’s Club World Cup appears to be a potential target. The tournament, which has struggled to attract significant broadcasting and sponsorship deals, is seen by many as an unnecessary burden on players’ schedules. Its expanded format, set to begin in 2025, has been widely criticized as the “straw that broke the camel’s back” in the ongoing dispute over the global football calendar.
However, domestic competitions like the Premier League and the FA Cup are unlikely to be affected, as relations between the PFA and these organizations remain relatively amicable. Instead, the players’ ire is directed primarily at FIFA, with the unions pushing for greater representation in discussions about the international calendar.
Will a Strike Really Happen?
Rodri’s comments should not be dismissed as mere rhetoric. The underlying issues players face are too deeply rooted, with many elite stars believing that without significant changes, industrial action will eventually become inevitable. However, when and how this strike might take place remains uncertain.
Players’ unions, including the PFA, are advocating for long-term reforms to reduce the strain on their members. This includes taking legal action against FIFA in the European Court of Justice, with the goal of limiting FIFA’s control over the match calendar and restoring a healthier balance for players. Whether this results in meaningful change remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the players’ unions are prepared to take drastic measures if their voices continue to be ignored.
The possibility of a players’ strike in the Premier League and beyond is no longer a far-fetched idea. As Rodri’s comments indicate, the growing frustrations over player workloads and the expanding football calendar have brought the issue to a boiling point. While a strike may not be imminent, the message is clear: if meaningful reforms are not made soon, football’s biggest stars could take unprecedented action. The ball is now in FIFA’s court, and the world of football watches with bated breath.
Read More: UEFA Champions League 2024/25: Manchester City vs Inter – Preview & Prediction
When is Manchester City vs Inter Milan?
Manchester City will face Inter at home on Thursday midnight in 19th September from 12:30 am onwards.
