FIFPro: players participate in European Cups 2 to 4 weeks after having played in the 2018 World Cup

"FIFPro is aware of at least 15 footballers who have played in UEFA competitions two to four weeks after participating in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, leaving them without a sufficient offseason break," said the Internation Federation of Professional Footballers on 30/07/2018.

Lasse Schöne (pictured), a Danish midfielder from AFC Ajax, was called up (and scored) in the in the the first leg of the second qualifying round of the Champions League (Ajax FC - SK Sturm Graz, 2-0, Johan Cruyff Arena Amsterdam), on Wednesday 25/07/2018, three and a half weeks after having participated in the Round of 16 Croatia - Denmark (1-1, 3-2 on penalties), in Nizhny Novgorod (RUS), on Sunday 01/07/2018.

"While FIFPro understands the financial implications of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League for clubs, the health of these players is being put at risk because of such a congested match schedule. Players are coming under too much pressure, caught between the needs of their clubs and their own personal well-being," said the organisation chaired by Frenchman Philippe Piat.

FIFPro calls for an…