The issue of player welfare frequently arises, particularly when players suffer injuries ahead of summer tournaments due to an exhaustive num
The issue of player welfare frequently arises, particularly when players suffer injuries ahead of summer tournaments due to an exhaustive number of games in the previous season. Despite the high demands of top-level football, it’s imperative that those in charge move beyond mere rhetoric and address a problem that’s spiraling out of control.
For instance, the 2023/24 Premier League season had barely concluded when Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur embarked on a post-season friendly tour to Australia. This trip came at the end of a taxing nine-month season, just as players were gearing up for international duties with either the European Championship or Copa America.
Stan Collymore, a former professional footballer, argues that summer friendlies and non-essential tournaments should be abolished. While tournaments like the European Championship, Copa America, and the World Cup may be exceptions, the constant summer friendlies and profit-driven games disrupt players’ recovery periods.
Collymore shared his views in an exclusive column for CaughtOffside, citing Darwin Nunez’s recent hat trick just weeks after the Premier League ended. He suggested a moratorium on post-season friendlies, emphasizing that the financial gains are negligible compared to the toll on players. “For the amount of money they get (£2m-£5m a pop), I don’t think it’s financially worthwhile,” Collymore stated.
He criticized clubs’ claims of breaking into new markets through these games, calling them a guise for quick monetary gains. Collymore proposed that all domestic and European competitions should conclude by the end of May, allowing for a well-defined off-season. He reminisced about earlier times when European Cup winners would immediately head off for a well-deserved break after their victory.
Collymore recommended a strict policy where, barring international tournaments, players should receive a mandatory four to six weeks off, with no tours or additional matches. He also suggested scrapping all non-essential tournaments, including the Nations League.
With his experience in professional football, Collymore understands the physical demands on players. He warned that unless clubs prioritize player welfare over quick profits, they risk their athletes being too fatigued to perform optimally in crucial parts of the season. Without a collective stand from the players against these unnecessary matches, the cycle of exploiting player endurance for financial gain will continue.
COMMENTS