(Reuters) - The current levels of match congestion, extensive travel and reduced off season time in elite men's soccer are detrimental to players' health and careers, global players' union FIFPRO said in a report on Tuesday. National team regulars at the top clubs have the toughest workload, the report said, adding that some players spent 70% to 80% of their playing time in a two-game-a-week rhythm. FIFPRO recommended that soccer governing bodies enforce a four-week break between seasons and a two-week mid-season break to safeguard players' mental and physical well-being. The union also suggested a mandatory break for individual players after a specified number of successive games. FIFPRO last month called for reforms to the international calendar to address the need for a reduced workload for players after soccer's world governing body FIFA announced a feasibility study into making the World Cup a biennial event.

Source: Egypt Today October 04, 2021 21:56 UTC