Injuries inevitable with this schedule, UNFP takes action!

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·8 settembre 2025

Injuries inevitable with this schedule, UNFP takes action!

The injuries of Désiré Doué (midfielder/forward, 20 years old) and Ousmane Dembélé (forward, 28 years old) for several weeks during the match between Ukraine and France have sparked a new wave of criticism. Mainly against the French team’s staff, who likely lacked caution with the second player from Paris Saint-Germain. But also regarding a schedule often criticized for being overly packed. Not to mention that these two were not the only injuries during the international break, the UNFP (National Union of Professional Footballers) issued a sharp statement, with an announced action.

“implement new rules, new regulations, another process as soon as possible”

“The World Cup qualifying matches in recent days have unfortunately seen players fall like flies, with Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé not being the only ones... While here and there, the late realizations are now fueling the press and social networks, they do not address the core issue – an international schedule that is disrespectful and dangerous for both the physical and mental health of players – since no one dares to believe that FIFA will, at least in the short term, reverse course – But it will have to! -, and no one, apart from the players' representatives, wishes to confront the international federation, especially after having let it act freely... “Therefore, it is necessary for all of us together, hopes David Terrier, president of the UNFP and FIFPRO Europe, to implement new rules, new regulations, another process as soon as possible to still manage to protect the players, especially since we are only at the beginning of a season punctuated by the World Cup, where the number of injuries will inevitably follow the accumulation of matches, both in clubs and in national teams.” Because the player must be present in all circumstances, without being able to influence the calendar's inconsistency until now, without any real risk prevention – both physical and mental – associated with the multitude of matches, seeking to protect their integrity...

“we ask the State to intervene.”

It is in this sense that on July 1st, the National Union of Professional Footballers approached the European Committee of Social Rights to compel the French State to respect the European Social Charter due to unreasonable working hours and insufficient periods of rest and leave for professional footballers playing in France. “In this case, explains David Terrier, the president of the French union, we ask the State to intervene since it is impossible, despite numerous communications, actions, and complaints, to make FIFA see reason so that, based on a genuine social dialogue that it refuses to establish to the detriment of the players' health, it reviews its international schedule with all stakeholders, a source of issues that will only grow, whether at the level of the physical and mental health of players, but also in the disruption of the organization and financing of domestic football and the protection of national teams.”

One can appreciate the desire to protect the players' health, a point that does not seem essential for FIFA. But it is not really known how far this will lead. There is no sense that football authorities are truly listening to the various warnings sent, especially by the players. Particularly when there is the idea of a Club World Cup ultimately being held every two years.

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There is the fact that professional players' salaries are so comfortable that complaining about them sometimes seems strange. And they do not hesitate to negotiate upwards, which also leads clubs to seek more revenue. But they remain human beings, and these injuries are a real problem. Also, the accumulated fatigue and the absence of great players do not help the spectacle. A point that could resonate with organizers.

In any case, a real dialogue seems essential. At least we see extra time gradually disappearing, which is a slight step forward. A bit less so if it's to add more matches. The issue is complex, and no one seems to truly listen to each other. Perhaps change will come through a major act. We’ll have to see which one.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.