02/07/2025

SPORTS WEDNESDAY | JULY 2, 2025 30 F RANCE’S professional footballers’ union wants Fifa to halt what it describes as a “game of massacre” affecting players’ health, accusing President Gianni Infantino of ignoring the toll an overloaded calendar, with an expanded Club World Cup, is taking. The UNFP has issued a scathing statement, warning that the tournament exemplifies how the relentless match schedule is pushing players to the brink, both physically and mentally. “The incongruity of the situation escapes no one – except, of course, Gianni Infantino and his flatterers,” the UNFP said. “From his ivory tower, which he tours around the world, the Fifa president shows no concern for the fate the international calendar reserves for top players.” World football’s governing body Fifa did not immediately comment on the statement when contacted by Reuters. The UNFP said the Club World Cup, now featuring 32 teams and running for a month until July 13, comes at the end of an exhausting season and claims that it Kane highlights key to upsetting PSG HARRY KANE maintains Bayern Munich will use the “feeling” from defeating Paris Saint-Germain in last year’s Champions League to come out on top in the Club World Cup quarterfinals. Kane struck a double in the 4-2 win over Flamengo to set up a last eight clash with the European champions. And “FC Hollywood” came out on top in the group phase of last season’s Champions League, with Kim Min Jae scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win. And now Kane is determined to come out on top, emphasising how Vincent Kompany’s side believe they can beat anybody at their best. “It’s going to be another tough game,” Kane told DAZN , who will show every match of the tournament live. “PSG have had an amazing season. We played them earlier in the year and we came out on top. “We have to try and use that energy, that feeling, in this game. We know it will be difficult. “But look, we feel like we can beat anyone when we’re at our level. We’ve shown it in the tournament so far. “It’s going to be another tough game. We’re going to have to recover well and get ready for it.” Kane also paid credited the Brazilians for their resilience in the last 16 clash, but underlined Bayern’s composure to finish the job. “It was a really tough game,” Kane admitted. “Tough opponent and difficult conditions. I thought we played really well for large spells of the game. “But every time we Ű BY JACK RATHBORN

Stop the ‘game of massacre’ French players’ union tells Fifa boss to stop cluttering football calendar

Champions League on May 31. Some French clubs have already resumed pre-season training ahead of the new Ligue 1 campaign starting in mid-August, while others will return next week. PSG, who reached the Club World Cup quarterfinals with a 4-0 win over Inter Miami on Sunday, face a schedule that leaves no space for the rest period guaranteed in collective agreements. “We do not see how or why PSG players should be denied the three full weeks of rest they are entitled to,” the UNFP said, warning that the additional workload could affect the performance of French internationals when national team fixtures resume in early September. – Reuters

Earlier this month, several stars voiced fears over the rising risk of injuries from the relentless schedule, with some warning they were approaching breaking point. The UNFP said it stood alongside global players’ union FIFPro and FIFPro Europe in denouncing the workload, arguing that the congested calendar undermines player welfare and domestic competitions. “In September, Manchester City midfielder Rodri suffered a serious knee injury shortly after warning that players were on the verge of striking over excessive workloads,” the union added, highlighting the tangible risks of burnout. Paris St Germain are competing at the Club World Cup just weeks after winning the

disregards collective bargaining agreements that guarantee players at least three weeks of complete rest between seasons. Instead, key players are forced straight into high-stakes fixtures, compounding the risk of injuries and mental burnout, the UNFP argues. “His (Infantino’s) Club World Cup proves, to the point of absurdity, that it is urgent to stop this game of massacre,” the UNFP added. Fifa has argued that it is responsible for fewer than 1% of club games, and the Club World Cup is a maximum of seven games (for two teams) every four years. The sharply worded statement follows growing concern among players worldwide over fixture congestion.

‘CWC exit as painful as Champions League elimination’

Ű BY ANDY HAMPSON

BERNARDO SILVA is refusing to look at Manchester City’s shock exit from the Club World Cup as a blessing in disguise. The Premier League outfit crashed out of the competition yesterday as they were beaten 4-3 in extra-time by Saudi outfit Al-Hilal after a pulsating last 16 clash in Orlando. City had established themselves as one of the favourites to triumph in the United States after winning all three of their group games in convincing fashion. A run to the final would have prolonged their campaign until July 13, however, just five weeks before the next Premier League season begins. After much debate about the impact of the Club World Cup on player welfare, there is a feeling in some quarters that City – after an underwhelming 2024/25 season – need the rest, but Silva does not see it that way. seriously. We had a lot of ambition for this Club World Cup and we wanted to win it.” Asked if the defeat hurt as much as Champions League elimination, Silva said: “Yes, a little bit. Yes.” Silva said: “They punished us. They have a good team with a lot of individual quality and congratulations to them. “I have friends there, I know most of their players and I know the quality they have. “We were expecting another difficult game like Juventus and when you don’t control transitions then good players, like Al Hilal have, punish you. That’s what happened.” City begin the new Premier League season at Wolves on Aug 16. – The Independent The City captain said: “No-one wanted to lose. We are very used to not having holidays, unfortunately, because the schedule is crazy and when we are in a competition we take it very

Man City’s Bernardo Silva (left) and Al Hilal’s Kaio Cesar fight for the ball during the Club World Cup last 16 match yesterday. – AFPPIC

went two goals up, they scored. The last goal eased the nerves a bit and we were able to control the game.” – The Independent

Kane. – AFPPIC

PSG remind fans of their power ahead of Bayern clash

WHEN Paris Saint-Germain are in full flight they remind fans why they are one of the most dangerous teams in world football, as they showed in their blistering 4-0 win against Inter Miami at the Club World Cup on Monday. The demolition of the MLS side was a statement of how devastating European champions PSG can be when their collective talent snaps into perfect sync. The way they dismantled Lionel Messi’s Miami outfit in a suffocating first half blitz will have not gone unnoticed by their quarterfinal

“We deserved our lead at halftime and after that it was a completely different match because the result dictated everything.” His words reflected satisfaction with the performance and an awareness that maintaining such intensity is the key to finally delivering on PSG’s long-held ambitions. As the Paris side prepare for a far tougher test against Bayern in the quarterfinals on Sunday (12.01am Malaysian time), the emphatic display served as a timely reminder of their immense potential. – Reuters

man-of-the-match performance, reflected the team’s relentless mindset. “We will continue to play our game no matter the opponent,” the Portugal midfielder said. Luis Enrique, who has turned PSG into a cohesive, ruthless unit, stressed that their ability to stay focused was key. “We started the match in the best possible way, with concentration and the right mentality to play our football from the first minutes,” the Spaniard said

opponents Bayern Munich. Under a closed roof in Atlanta in a game played with a controlled temperature of 19°C, Luis Enrique’s side pressed with relentless energy, moved the ball with purpose, and choked the life out of their opponents. “We started the match really well and imposed our rhythm,” said Bradley Barcola after the game. “We had a bit of fatigue in the group phase but we rested. When we’re in form like this, nobody can stop us.” Joao Neves, who starred with two goals in a