Kompany wants annual cap on games to protect players

Bayern Munich caput coach Vincent Kompany has called for an yearly headdress connected nan number of games a subordinate tin play, amid concerns complete workload.

Kompany's broadside are progressive successful nan recently reformatted Champions League - which now has astatine slightest 2 other games earlier nan knockout shape - arsenic good arsenic nan inaugural 32-team Club World Cup that starts adjacent summer.

The petition from Kompany follows a declare from Manchester City midfielder Rodri that players are close to going connected strike successful protestation astatine an summation successful games.

"To play 75, 80 games, it gets to a constituent wherever it's not realistic anymore," said Kompany, a erstwhile City captain.

"The solution I've ever wanted is to put a headdress connected nan magnitude of games a subordinate tin play arsenic an individual. Put a cap, put a compulsory play of holidays [for players]."

Bayern could play up to 64 games this season, pinch their play perchance moving until nan 13 July - erstwhile nan Club World Cup last will beryllium played.

Many of their players will besides characteristic successful nationalist squad games.

In July, Fifpro said it would return ineligible action against Fifa complete what nan world players' national called an "abuse of dominance" successful football.

Rodri's declare was backed by Barcelona defender Jules Kounde, while Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois called for "a balance", external to beryllium recovered betwixt much shot for supporters and subordinate workload.

Fellow City subordinate Manuel Akanji besides joked he whitethorn person to retire astatine 30 because of nan relentless fixture schedule.

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker added players are not being listened to and warned that no-one successful shot is adjacent to a solution to fixture congestion.

Striker Harry Kane played 45 times for Bayern Munich past season, earlier featuring 7 times for England astatine Euro 2024 during nan summer.

This season, nan 31-year-old has already played doubly successful nan Nations League for nan Three Lions successful victories complete nan Republic of Ireland and Finland.

"It's been a changeless taxable successful caller years - I was portion of nan Fifpro players' union, we ever treated that very seriously," Kompany added.

"It's not conscionable astir nan matches but besides nan travelling – pinch nan nationalist squad too.

"As a player, I already called for a maximum number to beryllium group for nan games a subordinate tin play; it should beryllium limited.

"That measurement you protect your wellness and nan interests of nan clubs. And yet besides nan coaches, because it's not easy for them either. That would make a batch of sense."