UEFA and FIFPRO Call for Action to Protect Player Health

Aleksander Ceferin

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin and FIFPRO President David Terrier urge collective action to safeguard player health amid congested fixture calendar concerns.

“We all recognise that the calendar has reached a tipping point...”

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin and FIFPRO President David Terrier are sounding the alarm on the congested fixture calendar, warning it has reached a breaking point that threatens player health. They've called for collective action to protect players, emphasizing the need for UEFA, associations, leagues, clubs and unions to work together.

This joint effort follows criticism from Barcelona coach Hansi Flick regarding Spain's handling of Lamine Yamal's groin injury. Flick claimed the 18-year-old was administered painkillers to play in World Cup qualifiers despite feeling discomfort. Similarly, Paris Saint-Germain has accused France's medical staff of ignoring their recommendations on injury risks, leading to Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue returning to the club injured.

Key Points:

• Congested Fixture Calendar: Ceferin and Terrier warn it has reached a tipping point, risking player health.
• Collective Responsibility: They urge UEFA, associations, leagues, clubs and unions to collaborate on protecting player welfare.
• Player Safety: Emphasizing the importance of balanced solutions for the future of the sport.

Ceferin highlighted the importance of their collaboration with FIFPRO Europe, stating it reflects a shared responsibility to protect player health and strengthen the foundations of the game. Terrier echoed this sentiment, saying, “We all recognize that the calendar has reached a tipping point.”

🤝 Together with @FIFPRO Europe, we reaffirm our shared commitment to:

⚽ Protecting player health
♻️ Shaping a sustainable future for European football, with national team football as a pillar of its identity, unity and development

— UEFA (@UEFA) September 15, 2025

Paris Saint-Germain has publicly criticized the French Football Federation, seeking corrective measures after Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue suffered injuries during international duty. The club claims France's medical staff ignored their recommendations on injury risks and workload for the players. PSG has called for a more transparent and collaborative medical-sporting coordination protocol between clubs and the national team to prevent such incidents in the future.

The injuries have sparked a war of words between PSG and the French FA, with the club demanding “rapid and immediate corrective measures.” PSG had provided detailed medical information on the players' workload and injury risks before they joined the national team, but claims this was disregarded. Dembele is expected to miss around six weeks with a hamstring injury, while Doue will be out for approximately four weeks due to a calf problem.

Meanwhile, France's players' union (UNFP) has criticized the international calendar, citing excessive demands that put player health at risk. The union has urged the State to intervene, arguing that FIFA ignores player welfare and prioritizes the international calendar. This sentiment is echoed by PSG's concerns over the injuries to Dembele and Doue, highlighting the need for collective action to protect player health.

“Our collaboration with FIFPRO Europe reflects a shared responsibility to protect player health and strengthen the foundations of the game,” Ceferin said.

“National team football remains a pillar of Europe's identity and unity. As demands on players grow, it's more important than ever to work together – with national associations, leagues, clubs and players – to find balanced solutions for the future of the sport.”

David Terrier, FIFPRO President, emphasized that there's a collective responsibility to take action in protecting player health and welfare. This involves UEFA, associations, leagues, clubs and unions working together to address the challenges posed by congested fixture calendars. By sharing the responsibility and collaborating, they can find solutions that prioritize player well-being while maintaining the integrity of the sport.

“We all recognise that the calendar has reached a tipping point,” he said.

“In Europe, we are fortunate to have the tools and the partners – including clubs, leagues and national associations – to build protocols that protect the well-being of players and ensure that both national team and club football continue to inspire, unite and grow.”