FIFA, global player unions agree to mandatory rest periods - ESPN

Football's player unions have secured a victory in their battle for mandatory rest periods after a meeting in New York between FIFA president Gianni Infantino and senior figures from global player unions resulted in an agreement on the need for standardised player breaks.

Amid concerns of player burnout, players' groups had demanded action on player welfare following FIFA's decision to stage this summer's inaugural 32-team Club World Cup during the European off-season.

And following talks on Saturday, FIFA and the players' unions have reached «consensus» on a mandatory 72-hour minimum gap between games and a three-week period of rest in the closed season, world soccer's governing body said.

A proposal for players' unions or participate in FIFA Council meetings when players' matters are addressed will also be considered.

In a statement, FIFA said: «The meeting addressed key issues concerning player health (both men and women), a top priority given that it forms part of the occupational risk prevention framework established by the International Labour Organization (ILO).

»FIFA and the player unions reviewed upcoming joint projects involving the world's football governing body and players' representative organisations, with a specific focus on player rest and recovery, as well as competitions within the context of the International Match Calendar (IMC).

«There is a consensus that there must be at least 72 hours of rest between matches, and that players should have a rest period / holiday of at least 21 days at the end of each season.

»This period should be managed individually by each club and the respective players also depending on their match calendars and taking into account applicable collective agreements.

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