The Professional Footballers’ Association [PFA] reacts and send back a reply Rodri players strike claim

The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) has reacted to Rodri’s claim that players are “close” to going on strike because of the growing number of games.

The star player for Manchester City said that the players might have “no other choice” because the schedule is so full with foreign games, the Champions League, and the FIFA Club World Cup.

In a statement, the PFA said Rodri’s words should serve as a “serious wake up call” to the groups that oversee football. In the past few weeks, the members have made their feelings about the schedule of games and the amount of work that players have to do very clear.

“Players and their unions have asked to be heard and to play a big role in these processes.” There is a natural result for players to start thinking about all of their choices when they are ignored.

Beginning this season, teams in the Europa League and the Champions League will have to play an extra two games in their groups. Depending on where they finish in the league phase, they may also have to play an extra two-legged playoff tie.

During this time, the Club World Cup has grown to include 32 teams. In 2026, the FIFA World Cup will have teams from 48 countries. Along with that, the Nations League has added an extra quarterfinal stage to its summer playoffs.

Rodri has spoken out about how busy the schedule is before. He played in 56 club games during City’s Treble season and 50 times last season, not counting his international games.

The defender got hurt during halftime of the final of Euro 2024 and had to leave the game. He had played in all but one of the games that led up to the final.

“Are the players going on strike? It’s easy to understand what Rodri meant when he said that. Man City’s first Champions League game is on Wednesday against Inter.

“I would guess that any player would say the same thing. It’s not Rodri’s opinion or anything.” I believe it’s what most of the players think. I really believe that we will have no other choice if things keep going this way, but let’s see.

Rodri is the latest player to speak out on football’s broken fixture calendar and the need for urgent change. ⬇️

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— Professional Footballers’ Association (@PFA) September 17, 2024

“I have no idea what will happen, but it worries us because we are the ones who will suffer.” Every player is different, and some don’t play 60 games, but we all agree on this.

Pep Guardiola said in September of last year that things would only change if the players stood up to the people in charge of football. He said, “There won’t be any change; there is only one way out: if the players decide for themselves.”

“Something has to change in order to tell the groups “Stop.” After what was said, FIFA and UEFA may respond.