Man. City midfielder Rodri hints at football players’ strike over packed fixture lists

LONDON, UK | Xinhua | Manchester City’s Spain international midfielder Rodri hinted on Tuesday that players are considering strike action over the ever-increasing demands of the fixture calendar.

Rodri made his declarations ahead of his side’s opening game in the newly expanded Champions League, which will put at least two more games into his club’s fixture list compared to last season.

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker also discussed the possibility of a strike on Monday, and when asked his opinion, Rodri clarified his position.

“Yes, I think we are close to that (a strike),” he replied, adding that he was not alone in his thoughts.

“If you ask any player, he will say the same (…) I think it is a general opinion of the players, and if it keeps this way, it will be a moment where we have no other option.

“I don’t know what is going to happen, but it is something that worries us because we are the guys that suffer,” he added.

Rodri insisted that a heavier fixture schedule means it is simply not possible for players to play at their top level throughout the entire campaign.

“From my experience, I can tell you that 60 or 70 (games) – no. Between 40 and 50 is the amount of games in which a player can perform at the highest level. After that, you drop because it is impossible to sustain the physical level.”

“This year, we are maybe going to go until 70 or maybe 80. In my humble opinion, I think it is too much,” insisted Rodri.

“Not everything is about money or marketing. It is about the quality of the show. In my opinion, when I am not tired, I perform better. If people want to see better football, then we need to rest.”

“Someone has to take care of us,” he said. ■