Manchester City midfielder, Hernández Rodri has expressed concerns about leading footballers potentially going on strike due to the ever-expanding schedule of clubs.
The extended 36-team tournament, which includes eight league matches, differs significantly from the original European Cup, which only featured reigning national champions.
The 2023 Champions League winners will be competing in an expanded Club World Cup at the end of the season.
Rodri when asked on Tuesday if there was a possibility of players going on strike said he believes the club is close to a strike situation, , stating that if the scheduling style persists, they will have no other option.
“Yes, I think we are close to that.
“If it keeps this way we will have no other option. It is something that worries us.” he said.
The midfielder’s comments echo those of Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, who said players are being ignored by football chiefs regarding fixture congestion.
“Sometimes nobody asks the players what they think about adding more games,” Alisson told reporters on Monday.
“Maybe our opinion doesn’t matter, but everybody knows what we think about having more games. Everybody’s tired of that.”
City manager Pep Guardiola however expressed a reserved attitude, stating that the team is in their first game, followed by the second, and will see what happens in the final games.
Written by Cheta Enyoghasi
