MANCHESTER, England (AP) — FIFA has been told to reschedule its expanded Club World Cup just over a year before the tournament is due to be staged in the United States.
World players' union FIFPRO and the World Leagues Association are demanding reform of the international match calendar, which is controlled by soccer's world governing body.
In a letter obtained by The Associated Press on Thursday, FIFA has been accused of pushing players “beyond their limits, with significant injury risks” by expanding its competitions.
FIFPRO and the WLA say this is impacting players' welfare and their “fundamental rights.”
A 32-team World Cup for clubs could be FIFA’s answer to the dominance of the Champions League and English Premier League as one of the most popular and lucrative sports competitions in the world. But it has sparked concerns over the demands on players in an increasingly congested match calendar, which will include an expanded 48-team World Cup from 2026.
The new version of the Club World Cup is slated for June 15 to July 13 next year and will mean three straight years of major competitions during the usual offseason, given the European Championship and Copa America are being staged in this summer and the next World Cup is in 2026.
FIFA has previously said the dates would be “harmoniously aligned with the international match calendar” to ensure sufficient rest for players ahead of the start of domestic leagues.
But FIFPRO and the WLA have are demanding the international calendar gets “immediately amended.”
As well as rescheduling the Club World Cup, they want to reopen discussions on the release periods for players from 2024-30 and review the “Intercontinental Cup,” which is effectively a replacement for the old Club World Cup, which was a short format event staged at the end of the year.
The letter warns legal action against FIFA could be considered if the governing body doesn't comply.
“Leagues and players cannot simply be expected to ‘adapt’ to FIFA’s decisions, which are driven by FIFA’s business strategy. We have reached the point where this situation must immediately be addressed both from a procedural and substantive perspective,” the letter said.
FIFPRO has become increasingly concerned about the physical and mental health of players in the face of growing demands.
Last season, Manchester United and Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes made 70 appearances for club and country, including a run of 20 consecutive games as a result of the World Cup in Qatar being staged midway through the campaign.
Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri played in 10 different competitions.
There have been claims that such demands could lead to burnout, injuries and the premature curtailing of careers.
Concerns will hardly be alleviated by European soccer’s governing body UEFA changing the Champions League format from next season, with two additional games. The European Championship has also been expanded in recent years.
A report last year by FIFPRO analyzed the impact of what it described as “extreme calendar congestion.” It said 43% of World Cup players surveyed had experienced “extreme or increased mental fatigue.”
The Associated Press contacted FIFA for comment.
James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
FILE - FIFA President Ganni Infantino addresses the 78th Conmebol Congress in Luque, Paraguay, Thursday, April 11, 2024. FIFA has been told to reschedule its inaugural expanded Club World Cup just over a year before the tournament is due to be hosted by America. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz, File)
FILE -FIFA President Gianni Infantino walks on the stage before the start of the 69th FIFA congress in Paris, Wednesday, June 5, 2019. FIFA has been told to reschedule its inaugural expanded Club World Cup just over a year before the tournament is due to be hosted by America. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File)
FILE - FIFA President Gianni Infantino, right, congratulates gives a medal to Real Madrid's Karim Benzema during the awarding ceremony of the FIFA Club World Cup final at Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium in Rabat, Morocco, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023. FIFA has been told to reschedule its inaugural expanded Club World Cup just over a year before the tournament is due to be hosted by America. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, File)
MIAMI (AP) — Harrison Bader and Tyrone Taylor each drove in two runs in a four-run first inning, star closer Edwin Díaz was not used in a save situation and the New York Mets beat the Miami Marlins 7-3 on Sunday for just their second win in seven games.
Brandon Nimmo homered and Francisco Lindor singled twice following a 1-for-27 skid as the Mets rebounded from blowing a four-run, ninth-inning lead on Saturday and avoided a three-game sweep. New York stopped Miami’s four-game winning streak.
“You’re not defined by what you do the day before. You’re defined by how you get up from adversity,” Lindor said. “We wanted this one for sure. I think it’s important to win after a tough loss like that.”
Sean Manaea (3-1) allowed two runs and five hits in five innings. Sean Reid-Foley and Jake Diekman pitched an inning each, and Reed Garrett got his second save by allowing one hit over two innings with four strikeouts in a 34-pitch outing.
Díaz has a 10.80 ERA over his last eight appearances after serving up four homers in 8 1/3 innings. He has blown three of his last four save chances.
“We all believe in him. We all know he’s going to be back,” Garrett said. “Whenever my name’s called, I’ll pitch, but I know as a collective unit we all believe in Edwin and we know what he can do.”
New York (21-25) had dropped five games under .500 on Saturday for the first time since an 0-5 start.
“Not an easy weekend, not the way we expected, but we just have to continue to move forward,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “Today was a huge win for us.”
With New York ahead 4-3, Nimmo hit a two-run homer off Anthony Bender in a three-run ninth that included Brett Baty’s RBI single.
“I was just looking for a good pitch in the middle of the plate to drive,” Nimmo said. “I was able to hit that ball — good launch angle — and hit it hard. Found its way out of the ballpark.”
Nimmo returned to the lineup Saturday after missing two games because of a stomach illness.
“I’m coming around,” Nimmo said. “It’s been a little bit of a journey the last three days to get over the sickness. Right now, I’m just trying to get some appetite back. I’m definitely not at 100%. Just trying to battle through it and glad that I was able to help out there at the end and solidify the win.”
Dane Myers hit a two-run homer in the second, and Christian Bethancourt had a solo drive in the seventh against DIekman.
Sixto Sánchez (0-2) allowed four runs and six hits in four innings. He gave up Taylor’s two-out double in the first and Bader’s single.
“He was obviously better second through the fourth inning but he put us in a hole early,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said. “At this level it’s hard to come back from four runs every single time. He’s not giving his teammates a chance to win.”
Miami recalled right-handed reliever Emmanuel Ramirez from Jacksonville and optioned right-handed reliever Anthony Maldonado to the Triple-A farm team.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Mets: DH J.D. Martinez (flu symptoms) didn’t play but was available to pinch hit. Mendoza said Martinez played through the illness the prior two days.
Marlins: INF Tim Anderson (lower back tightness) homered and had three singles in five at-bats during a rehab game with Jacksonville on Saturday, then went 0 for 4 with a walk on Sunday.
UP NEXT
Mets: RHP Tylor Megill (0-1, 2.25) will start the opener of a three-game series at Cleveland on Monday. RHP Ben Lively (2-2, 3.06) will start for the Guardians.
Marlins: LHP Ryan Weathers (2-4, 3.81) is scheduled to start the opener of a three-game home series against Milwaukee on Monday. The Brewers will go with RHP Joe Ross (2-4, 4.61).
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
New York Mets' Sean Manaea delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
New York Mets' Brandon Nimmo (9) and Francisco Lindor (12) congratulate each other after they scored on a double by Tyrone Taylor, during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
New York Mets center fielder Harrison Bader is unable to catch a ball hit by Miami Marlins' Josh Bell for a double, during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Miami Marlins third base Emmanuel Rivera, right, tags out New York Mets' Harrison Bader as he slides into third base during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
New York Mets center fielder Harrison Bader (44) catches a ball hit by Miami Marlins' Josh Bell as both he and left fielder Tyrone Taylor (15) vie for the ball during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
New York Mets relief pitcher Reed Garrett, right, and catcher Omar Narvaez celebrate after the Mets beat the Miami Marlins 7-3, during a baseball game, Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
