PFA responds as Rodri claims Premier League footballers ready to strike

Rodri's comments about the possibility of players going on strike prompted a provocative response from the Professional Footballers' Association.

The Manchester City midfielder has suggested that footballers could take action against the sport's organisers over the increase in the number of matches.

Speaking ahead of City's Champions League opener against Inter Milan, the Euro 2024 player of the tournament said: “I think we are close to that. [players going on strike].

“That's the general opinion of the players. And if it continues like this, we won't have any other choice, I really think… It's something that worries us. We're the ones who are suffering!”

Rodri was speaking ahead of the introduction of the new Champions League format, which will see all teams involved in the 'League Phase' play at least two additional matches.

Additionally, teams finishing between ninth and twenty-fourth in the standings will have two more matches to play in a play-off round, with the winners of those matches qualifying for the round of 16.

Theoretically, a club could win the Champions League having played a maximum of 17 matches from the league stage onwards, an increase from the 13 matches in the previous format.

And the extra games have made the players, including Rodri, furious.

It is an issue the PFA have spoken out about in the past, with the players' association backing Rodri's latest comments.

A PFA spokesperson responded: “In recent weeks our members have made their feelings very clear about the fixture schedule and the workload on players.

“Players and their unions have asked to be heard and to be at the heart of these processes. When they are ignored, the natural consequence is that players start to consider all the options available to them.”

“The players keep saying that enough is enough, and this must now serve as a wake-up call to the authorities.”