Certainly! The statement from the PFA further emphasizes the critical nature of this legal action and articulates the union’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights and well-being of football players. It underscores the pivotal role of the PFA in advocating for the enforcement of legal protections for players, as well as the broader implications of this legal challenge on the overarching framework of the football calendar.
The PFA’s chief executive, Maheta Molango, has conveyed the urgency of intervening to address the extensive and concerning impact of the current football calendar on players. The statement underlines the necessity of upholding players’ rights to essential breaks and rest periods, crucial for their physical and mental well-being. Furthermore, the PFA’s stance serves as a testament to the growing imperative to ensure that players’ voices are heard and their rights are respected within the governance of football.
“Everyone across football knows that the fixture calendar is broken to the point that it has now become unworkable,” said PFA chief executive Maheta Molango.
“There are too many emerging instances across football where the rights of players, and the legal implications of decisions by governing bodies and competition organisers, are seen as something that can just be ignored.
“Players are not being listened to and they want to see action. As their union, we have a duty to intervene and to enforce their legal rights as employees. Ultimately, that time has now come.”
In joining forces with the French players’ union and with the support of Fifpro, the PFA’s participation in this legal claim signifies a united front in challenging the status quo of the football calendar. The measured yet resolute language of the statement conveys a clear message that the time for meaningful action to address the calendar’s deficiencies has arrived. This vocal and proactive stance by the PFA underscores the gravity of the situation and echoes the sentiments of players across the football landscape.
“Players will then be likely to have club commitments ahead of the 2025-26 season, potentially including the FA Community Shield, with the Premier League season scheduled to kick off again in mid-August,” said the PFA.
David Terrier, the president of Fifpro Europe, said the legal route was being taken “since all attempts at dialogue have failed”.
He added: “It’s not a question of stigmatising a particular competition, but of denouncing both the underlying problem and the straw that broke the camel’s back.”
The PFA’s move to pursue legal recourse through the European Court of Justice (ECJ) reflects a strategic approach to seek a comprehensive and enduring resolution. By aiming for a preliminary ruling on the interpretation of EU law as it pertains to footballers’ rights, the PFA’s trajectory underscores its commitment to effecting tangible and lasting change, not only within the legal realm but also in shaping the future landscape of football’s scheduling and regulations.
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