Barcelona’s Kounde backs Rodri on going strike
Barcelona defender Jules Kounde backed Manchester City’s Rodri on his idea of going strike over the growing number of football games.
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Kounde backs Rodri on going strike
Kounde adds to the growing list of players who voiced their concerns about the loaded calendar.
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Like other club, several Barca players have sustained injuries early in the season.
The list includes Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, Marc Bernal, Dani Olmo, and Fermin Lopez.
Kounde, 25, “agreed with everything” Rodri said on footballers organizing a strike over the increasing volume of matches.
“There are different factors [for the injuries], but the load of games and fatigue is one of the reasons and does not help,” Kounde said in a news conference on Wednesday.
“I agree with everything Rodri said. The calendar is getting longer every season, there are more games every year and less rest. But we have been saying this for years and no one listens to us, the players, who are the main actors.
“Perhaps we need to go on strike to make our voices heard. We are already taking too many risks and there are more and more injuries, regardless of how well we prepare for games.”
“We need to organize ourselves”
The expanded Champions League includes an eight-game league phase and a potential two-legged play-off before reaching the last 16.
Global players’ union FIFPro recently teamed up with several players’ unions in Europe — including the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) — to launch two legal challenges against FIFA’s decision to stage the competition next summer.
Kounde added that more players need to organize for them to be heard.
“This year, there will be players in the Club World Cup at the end of the season, too, who could reach 70 or 80 matches. It’s crazy,” said the France international.
“We need to organise ourselves. There are several unions, but I think we need one message that represents all footballers. It’s something we will have to discuss among the players.”
