Calendar/Injured players: "We need to put in place new rules & a new process quickly" (D. Terrier, UNFP)

"We all need to put in place new rules, new regulations and a different process as quickly as possible to protect players, especially as we are only at the start of a season, punctuated by the 2026 World Cup, in which the number of injuries will inexorably follow the number of matches played, both at club and international level," declared David Terrier, president of UNFP and FIFPRO Europe, on 07/09/2025.

The French professional players' union was reacting to the situation of Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1 McDonald's) internationals Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé, who were forced off injured during the Ukraine - France match (0-2, 05/09/2025), a qualifier for the 2026 World Cup. The former, who suffered a right calf injury, was replaced at half-time by the latter, who was also forced off late in the match after suffering a right hamstring strain. It is estimated that one will be unavailable for "around four weeks" and the other for "around six weeks".

Paris Saint-Germain played 65 official matches during the 2024-25 season, reaching the Coupe de France final (24/05/2025), the UEFA…