‘There has to be some common sense’ – Bale on player welfarepublished at 16:39 31 May
A final word from Gareth Bale, who was talking to BBC Sport on behalf of climate-change action group Pledgeball, on whether it should be the ‘norm’ that players are playing 60 to 70 games a season: “Yeah it’s dangerous for the players’ health.
“At the end of the day it’s difficult to get through a season but to put more games, more tournaments – it’s not ideal. I get football generates money and money talks but I think at some stage there has got to be some common sense.
“I think most players will tell you its difficult to get through a season these days and if it’s getting more games it’s going to harm our bodies.”
On whether concerns about sustainability or player welfare are falling on deaf ears within football: “Unfortunately yes but hopefully this is the start and that narrative can change. We know it’s not going to be an overnight thing, it’ll be by small baby steps that create that big step and this is hopefully just the start of it. I think now people are talking about it, not scared to talk about it, it’ll only help everyone’s decision to change a few things.”