Football Schedule Is Not Just A Health Risk But is 'Killing The Product', Says PFA

Kevin de Bruyne is consoled by team-mates as he is substituted after getting injured in the 2023 Champions League final

Football’s congested schedule is not just risking players’ health but it is “killing the product”, says Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Maheta Molango.

Several tournaments are expanding, which is increasing revenue streams.

But Molango says the game can learn from American football.

He added that Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne going off injured in club football’s biggest game is “surely not what we want to see”.

City lost De Bruyne to a hamstring injury early in last season’s Champions League final before edging a 1-0 win over Inter Milan in their 61st game of the season.

Speaking at the Financial Times Business of Football Summit, Molango said: “The Champions League final is supposed to be our Super Bowl.

“It wasn’t because one of the best players in the world, De Bruyne, was out in the 30th minute; [Erling] Haaland was exhausted; Rodri, who is a top athlete, said after 60 minutes he had cramps.”

He added: “For us, we’ve reached a stage where it is not just about the health of the player, it is about us killing the product.”