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26th June 2023
10:37am BST
The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) have backed Marcus Rashford after the forward claimed that players are involved in too many games.
As part of their pre-season schedule, Premier League clubs will play in at least 64 friendlies across the summer before the start of the season on August 12.
Rashford said that the "mad" footballing calendar needs revising.
"It is mad that we are playing at club level against teams playing one game a week and we are playing three a week from November until we get knocked out of the Europa League.
"It is difficult and we are used to it but I don't think it's right. I am not the one who has to have the answers. If one team is playing 60 games a season and another is playing 38 there has to be some time to recover for the team playing 20 extra games."
PFA chief executive Maheta Molango, via The Sun, supported the England international's frustrations, saying: "A properly co-ordinated approach to the football calendar is needed to address the growing pressure being placed on players. They themselves are saying their wellbeing has to be prioritised."
Molango added that there is more cause for concern when competitions such as the Club World Cup come into play from 2025, which will involve 32 teams from across the globe.
"Players' schedules will become even further complicated by the expansion of both club and international calendars in the coming seasons," he said.
"Space will need to be found alongside the long-distance pre-season tours clubs already take part in.
"A player-first approach is needed, one that acknowledges the need for a balanced and sustainable calendar. This is crucial for the overall health of the sport."
Last season, some players such as Declan Rice, Jack Grealish and Rashford featured over 50 times for their club and country in all competitions.
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