Sports Desk //

Fatigue from long games, frequent travel and pent-up anger, all of which have finally paid off. FIFA has finally agreed to mandatory rest.

Footballers, who are overwhelmed by busy international and club schedules, have long been demanding a specific rest. First, an application, then a lawsuit in the European Union, and after all this, senior representatives of the players’ associations met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in New York on Saturday. There, world football’s highest governing body agreed to the footballers’ demands.

After the meeting, a statement was issued, outlining the meeting, saying, ‘The meeting discussed key issues related to the health of players (both men and women), which was considered a top priority. Because, it is part of the occupational risk prevention framework established by the International Labor Organization (ILO).

According to the agreement reached with FIFA, from now on, players will get at least 72 hours of rest between two matches. They will have a minimum of 21 days of vacation at the end of each season. Clubs and countries will have to provide at least one day of mandatory rest per week. A new international calendar will be created taking into account the players’ intercontinental travel and climate impact.

In June 2024, the world football players’ organization FIFPRO, England’s PFA and France’s UniFP sued FIFA, accusing it of excessive pressure and violating European labor laws. The claim, which went to court, was successful this time through negotiations.

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