Suspense crime, Digital Desk : The football world is buzzing after Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola voiced a passionate plea for his team to be exempt from the expanded FIFA Club World Cup. Fresh off winning the 2023 edition, Guardiola has made it clear that the relentless fixture schedule is pushing his players to their limits, and he believes City shouldn’t be forced to participate in the much larger 2025 tournament.

Guardiola’s comments come from a place of deep concern for player welfare. The current football calendar is already incredibly demanding, with domestic leagues, cup competitions, and European tournaments piling up matches. The newly revamped Club World Cup, set to take place in the United States in the summer of 2025, will feature 32 teams – a significant jump from the traditional seven-team format. This expansion means more games, more travel, and less rest for elite players.

“For FIFA, it’s a perfect business,” Guardiola stated bluntly, highlighting the commercial motivations behind the expanded tournament. “For the players, it’s a new demand for two or three months, and honestly, the way they treat us… It’s too much.” His frustration stems from what he perceives as a lack of consideration for the physical and mental toll on athletes.

Manchester City, as reigning Champions League winners, have already qualified for the prestigious 2025 tournament. However, Guardiola’s stance is that given their recent triumphs and the sheer volume of games they’ve already played and will continue to play, their participation should not be mandatory. He implied that FIFA and other governing bodies are adding competitions without adequate consultation or understanding of the impact on players and clubs.

The issue of fixture congestion is a long-standing debate in football. Players, managers, and medical staff have repeatedly warned about the increased risk of injuries and burnout due to the packed schedule. Guardiola’s powerful words, especially coming from the manager of one of the world’s most successful clubs, will undoubtedly amplify these concerns and put further pressure on football’s governing bodies to reconsider their scheduling policies. Whether FIFA will heed his call remains to be seen, but the message is clear: the players need a break, and the current demands are becoming unsustainable.

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