Recent Player Overwork Issues Highlighted
Some Suggest 'Player Strike' Remarks Emerge
England's professional football players are voicing concerns about 'overwork.' Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min (32) also urged for a reduction in the number of matches during a press conference.
On the 25th (local time), Son Heung-min appealed at an official press conference, saying, "Reducing the number of matches from now on would allow us to show better performance." The day was ahead of the 2024-25 UEFA Europa League match against Qaraba? (Azerbaijan).
At that time, Son Heung-min, along with Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, faced various questions from the press. However, the hottest topic was the number of matches, which has recently become the biggest concern in the EPL.
Son Heung-min explained, "Many players have spoken out and said the right things," adding, "As a football fan who loves the game, I want to see quality matches rather than as many matches as possible."
He continued, "I also don't want to see players struggling with injuries. With many matches and a lot of travel, we need to take care of ourselves," warning, "If we play matches mentally and physically unprepared, the risk of injury is enormous."
This is not the first time EPL professional football players have warned about the dangers of an excessive match schedule. Previously, Manchester City FC's star midfielder Rodri also expressed difficulty in handling the match schedule and engaged in discussions. On the 17th, Rodri even hinted at the possibility of a 'player strike.'
In an interview with a local sports media outlet, he said, "There is a high possibility that players will strike. If this continues, there is no other choice," pointing out, "40 to 50 matches is the limit to maintaining top-level performance." He added, "Beyond that, it becomes physically overwhelming. This year, we might have to play 70 to 80 matches, which is excessive." Ultimately, Rodri suffered a knee injury in the match against Arsenal six days after the interview.
This incident sparked criticism inside and outside the European professional football industry. Tim Spears, a reporter for the sports media outlet 'The Athletic,' commented after Rodri's injury, saying, "It is a sign that sports have reached their limit and a responsibility for all of us," pointing out, "Clubs have willingly accepted money for additional UEFA and FIFA matches over player welfare, and the media and fans continue to consume all football content."
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