The International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) is going to approve a set of steps that put the health and physical condition of players on the top of priorities.
And the Spanish newspaper "Marca" confirmed that FIFA plans to approve a proposal to establish a working group to take care of the welfare of players.
And the Spanish newspaper quoted - from its sources in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, which is currently hosting the FIFA Congress meeting - that the International Federation of the game will agree to a series of strategic principles related to protecting the welfare of players.
These principles include establishing an annual rest period that all players must abide by, in addition to a rest of at least 72 hours between matches, and finally the players’ commitment to a compulsory weekly rest day, which is managed in a scientific way.
And she emphasized that players should respect all these principles.
FIFA Council approves international match calendars
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The task of the new task force will be to conduct multidisciplinary tests, in order to apply these safeguards in a practical, proportionate and fair manner for all parties.
The working group will include representatives from FIFA, the Association of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO), as well as experts in the field of medicine.
These guarantees were accepted and supported by all continental federations, and they are now on the table for approval to become official.
Thibaut Courtois, goalkeeper of Real Madrid and the Belgium national team, was one of the players who strongly criticized the large number of matches and tournaments during one sports season.
And June 2021, Courtois confirmed - on the sidelines of the third and fourth place match in the European Nations League - that the crowded match schedule affects the health and safety of the players.
Courtois said at the time, "We are not robots. We - the players - play more matches without getting a rest, and no one cares about us and our health. When will we get a rest? I think that will never happen."
The Belgian goalkeeper also attacked the international and European federations, "UEFA", saying that this match - in reference to the Belgium-Italy match - is held only in order to add more money to their pockets.