Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez accused UEFA and FIFA of “putting the health of the players at risk” and “disrespecting the fans” by attacking the world football calendar.
Speaking at the club's annual general meeting in Madrid on Sunday morning, the 77-year-old accused the expanded format of the UEFA Champions League and the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup as a threat to the player well-being.
Madrid is one of 32 teams that will compete in next summer's inaugural Club World Cup, which begins on June 15, three weeks after the final round of La Liga.
“The calendar is associated with an increase in the number of injuries. “UEFA and FIFA have added 14 matches of their own, which is equivalent to two and a half months of competition,” said Peres. “We had a total of 14 wounded and 22 wounded. We had nine cruciate injuries (in LaLiga).”
Peres cited the results of a study by FIFPro, the global players' association, which highlighted the unprecedented demands placed on working professionals.
FIFPro published its latest report on player workload in September and has since filed a formal legal complaint with the European Commission against FIFA in cooperation with Europe's national leagues, including La Liga.
“At Madrid we have had 7 injuries in the corners in the last 12 months. According to doctors' advice, its main cause is fatigue,” says Peres.
“This year's agenda is busier than ever. It is noteworthy that a player like Jude Bellingham played 251 matches. In comparison, at his age, David Beckham played 54 games.
However, there is currently no evidence that playing a large number of games increases the risk of cruciate ligament injury.
Fifa hopes a newly formed task force led by former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will soon present science-based recommendations to help maintain the physical and mental well-being of players.
Defender Eder Militao is one of several Real Madrid players who have suffered serious knee injuries in recent seasons (Photo by Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Pérez added that the size of the games was devaluing the “spectator quality” of the sport and risked “disrespecting the fans.”
“The lack of rest affects the players' careers,” he said. “FIFA has created a club World Cup that deprives players of their usual rest. UEFA played 488 official matches 10 years ago, but has now increased to 769 to make more money.
He continued: “The new Champions League format has proven not to be the solution we predicted. This increased the number of games but reduced the value of each game. “The competition awakens passion in fans at the end, not at the beginning as expected.”
In May this year, Gianni Infantino defended FIFA's role in the congested calendar, claiming that football's world governing body was responsible for organizing “one percent” of matches involving “the best clubs in the world.” ”.
Peres, who will be re-elected for a fifth consecutive term in 2021, also criticized European football's governing bodies for their involvement in awarding the 2024 Ballon d'Or.
Madrid refused to send a delegation to the ceremony in Paris last month after learning that favorite Vinicius Junior had lost to Manchester City midfielder Rodrigo.
The men's and women's awards are decided by 100 “specialized journalists” from around the world, but Peres accused UEFA of choosing “journalists that no one knows.”
“It is very difficult to explain that someone from Real Madrid has not won,” said Pérez.
“I believe that the Ballon d'Or should be organized independently and the votes should be in the hands of influential people, such as the national selectors, who know that their reputation is at stake with their vote. That's why Madrid thought we shouldn't go to the gala.”
UEFA declined to comment when contacted. “Atlético”.
(LightRocket vía Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/Getty Images)
