The UNFP expressed concern that Infantino, from his “ivory tower,” seems indifferent to the physical and mental toll that the added games will have on players.

“The incongruity of the situation is not lost on anyone, except, of course, Gianni Infantino and his flatterers,” the union said in a statement, as quoted by AP. “From the height of his ivory tower, which he parades around the world, the FIFA president is not bothered by the fate that the international calendar reserves for the game’s leading players.

“His (Infantino’s) Club World Cup proves, to the point of absurdity, that it is urgent to stop this massacre game. He flouts the physical and mental health of players for a few more dollars.”

Infantino has received significant criticism regarding the Club World Cup, especially since this year’s edition expanded to include 32 teams.

There are widespread concerns about the toll the tournament will take on players’ well-being.

These remarks from UNFP come after former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s criticisms of the tournament. Now head of global football at Red Bull, Klopp did not hold back when discussing the competition.

Speaking to Welt am SonntagKlopp said: “The Club World Cup is the worst idea ever implemented in football. People who have never had anything to do with day-to-day business are coming up with ideas. I fear that next season players will suffer injuries they’ve never had before. If not, then it will happen at the World Cup or afterwards.”

Top clubs like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are participating in the competition, raising concerns about how the lack of rest for players this summer will affect their long-term fitness and performance.