Liverpool’s Ibrahim Konate is ready to support the players’ strike despite the hectic schedule

France and Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté has joined the growing chorus of footballers expressing concern over the increasingly crowded fixture list, saying on Tuesday that he supports players’ right to strike over the issue. His comments follow similar warnings from other top players and managers who have criticized the relentless football calendar.

Last month, Manchester City’s Rodri suggested footballers could stage a strike if scheduling requirements were not reduced. Shortly after his comments, Rodri suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury, further intensifying discussions about player welfare and the risks posed by such a grueling schedule. Speaking to reporters, the Liverpool defender, as quoted by Reuters, said that the players would stay together if there was a strike.

“If this dynamic continues and the players decide to pound their fists on the table, we are all in the same boat,” Konate, 25, told reporters when asked if he supported a strike.

“If there is a movement tomorrow that leads to understanding, I will be part of it. And I think all players will follow this example.”

This season, all three major European club competitions have expanded to 36 teams, exacerbating the situation. In July, global football players’ union FIFPRO announced it would lodge a complaint with EU antitrust authorities against FIFA’s international match calendar.

England leads the European leagues in consecutive games played, recording 87 last season. Premier League teams averaged just 67.3 hours of recovery time between games – one of the shortest in Europe.

Konate said the hectic schedule was an issue that should not be overlooked as there were frequent reports of clubs not wanting players to report for national service for fear of injury.

“It is an issue that should not be neglected,” Konate added. “You have heard that some clubs prefer their players to appear (not for international duty), but you have to understand that too, there are so many games.”

“The players are on the club’s payroll, even if the national teams are just as important.”

Once the current international break comes to an end, Konate and Liverpool will be in action in 7 games across 3 competitions, with tough clashes against Chelsea, Arsenal, Aston Villa in the Premier League and Champions League games against Leipzig and Leverkusen.

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