Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola on Friday urged players to lead the fight for change in the heated debate over the dangers posed by an increased fixture schedule. 

Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany has already demanded a restriction of matches.

As a part of protest City midfielder Rodri recently suggested players would be compelled to think about going on strike against the dramatic rise in matches crammed into an already hectic calendar.

With the Champions League first stage now featuring an additional two matches and the expanded Club World Cup at the end of the season, Guardiola’s Premier League champions could play a maximum of 76 matches during the 2024/25 campaign.

Top players also have international fixtures to factor into the grueling schedule.

Global players’ union FIFPro has said footballers should play a maximum of 50 to 60 matches in a season, depending on their age.

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker joined the row when he said players were not given a voice by the sport’s authorities to express their concerns.

As the debate intensifies, Guardiola says players have the power to spark change because the sport cannot go on without them.

“I’m pretty sure that if something is going to change, it must come from the players. They are the only ones who can change something about the organization, to take a voice. The business can be without managers, sporting directors, media, and club owners but without players you cannot play. The only ones with the power to do it are them,” Guardiola claimed. 

Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea will, like City, take part in the Club World Cup in the United States at a time when the players would otherwise be resting. The Italian hinted a strike could be a course of action to tackle the problem.

Asked whether there are too many games in the current calendar, Maresca said: “Yes, no doubt. In terms of games, it’s too much.