‘We’ve been sounding the alarm for years’ – France’s players’ union criticises hectic schedule after spate of injuries
The UNFP, France’s players’ union, have criticised the hectic scheduling after a spate of severe injuries in recent weeks, including during the recent international break.
France’s squad was particularly affected by injuries this month. Aurélien Tchouaméni did not even make the group after suffering an injury for Real Madrid during El Clásico. His teammate, Eduardo Camavinga, did make the squad but was injured in the build-up to Les Bleus’ historic 14-0 victory over Gibraltar.
Whilst Warren Zaïre-Emery, Paris Saint-Germain’s breakout star this season, did participate in that historic French victory, he was injured, and like Camavinga, will not feature until 2024. Jean-Clair Todibo was also injured while on international duty. However, it isn’t just French players that have been affected. Vinicius Jr, Gavi, Erling Haaland, Marcus Rashford, Jarrod Bown and Michail Antonio are just some of the players to be struck down by injury this month.
Within this context, the UNFP have released a statement, denouncing the intense schedule, which they believe is responsible for the high quantity of injuries.
“We were right. We knew it. We said it. We repeated it. And then we repeated it again. But if executives are obliged to hear us, it is rare that they hear us, especially when what is at stake goes beyond the limits of the pitch,” read the organisation’s statement.
L’augmentation drastique du nombre de blessés ne doit rien au hasard. Et si l’après <a href=«https://twitter.com/FIFAWorldCup?ref_src=» https: target="_blank" rel=«noopener»>@FIFAWorldCup
a donné raison à ceux qui appellent à une refonte du calendrier, <a href=«https://twitter.com/UNFP?ref_src=» https: target="_blank" rel=«noopener»>@UNFP pense que ce ne sont là que les Read on getfootballnewsfrance.com
