FIFPRO President affirms that a biennial World Cup threatens ‘to saturate the calendar too much’

David Aganzo, president of the Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE) and the International (FIFPRO), assured this Friday in London, during the General Assembly of the World League Forum, that a World Cup every two years would threaten “with too saturate an already excessively loaded calendar, punishing the fabric of the national industry ”.

“We need to innovate, yes, but the question is why all the plans come to light without the required evaluation and without the participation of the players and the leagues. Plans that undermine industrial relations and the fundamental rights of employers and employees, “said the former Spanish soccer player, who made his debut as the top leader of FIPRO at this meeting, in which he recognized” the seriousness and urgency “of the problem in which the find: “A governance crisis in our industry and because of that we are determined to find a way forward together.”

Aganzo highlighted that “Professional footballers and the leagues themselves must have a direct dialogue in international decisions”. “Others cannot decide for us. Furthermore, it may have taken too long to acknowledge that we have a lot in common. If up to now we have been somewhat slow to act, I think we must agree, “he said.

The president of AFE, who has “learned that at a negotiating table it is necessary to present proposals and find solutions to achieve a better working relationship every day,” also commented that “a small group of the wealthiest clubs in the world try to stand out and build a wall around its own commercial interests “, as he wanted to make clear that” UEFA proposes far-reaching reforms for its main competition, but without following due process, which will only aggravate the players’ workload ”.

In his view, we must bet on “a football that is inclusive, sustainable, fair and that respects the stakeholders of professional football” in the face of a “frustrating and ultimately unacceptable governance crisis”, if they take into account that many of the “national markets have managed to establish the highest standards of governance. A governance in which leagues and footballers have worked collaboratively, opening a better path ”.

He also took the opportunity to reiterate the dangers of the workload suffered by footballers: “We are the only sport that has put increasing pressure on the physical and mental health of its players, without safeguards.. More matches, more competitions, more markets … And that is why most players admit that they have suffered injuries due to an excessive workload.

“We failed to protect the breaks that we have agreed to at the national level. It’s too much for footballers especially for those who travel to areas where the time difference affects, where the climate is very different… Leagues and unions have to work towards labor relations within the framework of their actions ”, he added.

Therefore, Aganzo denounced that “the professional career of a footballer runs the risk of being short and fragile”, also because “in some markets, many footballers are simply not paid on time or are not paid directly.”

In this way, he opined that in these circumstances “a sustainable future is not possible. The competitive equilibrium disappears, both locally and between geographical areas. The lives of the players and their families lose dignity and hope. Hence the urgency to cooperate between our two organizations; we must act with the speed and determination that this crisis demands ”. (D)