Players’ Association vice-president Umberto Calcagno warns FIFPro, UEFA and FIFA are stepping up calls to ‘reformulate’ the international calendar.
The controversy grew again this week when several local health authorities in Italy tried to bar players from leaving their ‘bubble’ in order to go on international duty, as there were COVID-19 cases within their club squads.
Players’ Association vice-president Umberto Calcagno warns FIFPro, UEFA and FIFA are stepping up calls to ‘reformulate’ the international calendar.
The controversy grew again this week when several local health authorities in Italy tried to bar players from leaving their ‘bubble’ in order to go on international duty, as there were COVID-19 cases within their club squads.
“We are in constant contact with FIFPro, the players’ union we are part of, UEFA and FIFA to understand how this emergency situation is reflecting on international football activity,” AIC vice-president Calcagno told Radio Marte.
“We have been asking for some time to reformulate the international calendar. This is an issue seriously in need of reflection, not just because of this current emergency phase, but also in future to ensure top players do not have to take part in too many games.
“There is the risk of fixture lists becoming excessively packed, which would not be good for players or the whole football system.”
As for the issue of local health authorities (ASL) in Italy, there is confusion after some banned players from travelling and others did not.
“There are two different plans. Our protocol, compared to other nations, is certainly the most complete and the most protective of players, but in turn that also leads to greater costs.
“We have asked for a centralised authority to take charge of testing, an idea shared by the Federation. The ASL is not part of our world and can act autonomously around other sectors, from schools to businesses.
“What we want is uniformity, because we also need to safeguard the regularity of the competitions.”