Premier League Chief Warns About Too Many Football Matches

Richard Masters, the chief executive of the Premier League, has raised concerns about the potential saturation of football, emphasizing the lack of clarity regarding FIFA's plans for the sport's calendar. He highlighted that stakeholders feel excluded from decision-making processes, particularly in light of the controversial expansion of the Champions League. This situation has led to worries about both the physical and psychological fatigue of players and fans alike. Masters noted that the Premier League will not implement a January off-week for players this season, further complicating the issue of player fatigue. He expressed uncertainty about when saturation might become a significant problem, stating, “It’s a really difficult thing to predict when saturation takes hold.” He underscored the need for better communication and consultation from FIFA regarding major global calendar decisions, such as the Club World Cup. The Premier League chief criticized FIFA for not adequately involving leagues and players' unions in discussions about the global calendar. He indicated that the Premier League and other leagues are prepared to take collective action if necessary, although no formal case has been lodged yet. When questioned about the expanded Club World Cup, Masters pointed out that its month-long duration, ending in mid-July, poses challenges for Premier League clubs. He raised concerns about the impact on team readiness at the start of the season, as players would not receive the mandated three weeks of rest if their clubs reach the final stages of the tournament.