Deserved rest: FIFA to ease match load on players

FIFA has announced new measures aimed at reducing player workload and improving overall welfare, following a high-level meeting with several international players’ unions. The discussions took place in Morocco and focused on ensuring fair rest periods and safer working conditions for professional footballers.
According to FIFA’s official statement, the following key initiatives were approved:
– A minimum of 72 hours of rest between matches
– At least 21 consecutive days of rest during the off-season
– One mandatory day off per week
The meeting also addressed issues linked to long-distance travel and extreme climate conditions, with FIFA confirming that further consultations with key stakeholders will follow in the coming months.
In addition, FIFA pledged to establish a support fund for professional players who fail to receive their salaries due to the financial struggles of their clubs — a move widely praised by player associations worldwide.
These initiatives mark a significant step in FIFA’s effort to protect player welfare amid an increasingly congested global football calendar.
