European FAs push to scrap three-week international break

European football associations want UEFA to seek an end to the new three-week international break, according to the Guardian. Its report said opposition was nearly unanimous at a meeting in Berlin on Thursday, with federations raising concerns about player workloads and commercial returns.

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The format combines the former September and October windows, requiring four Nations League matches, typically within 11 days. FIFA approved the calendar change in 2023, partly to reduce travel and improve welfare. Many associations now favour restoring the previous arrangement of five two-week breaks.

Smaller nations are concerned that limited squad depth makes rotation harder. Some federations also reported difficulties selling tickets for two home fixtures so close together. England's FA chair Debbie Hewitt and chief executive Mark Bullingham were among those who challenged the new schedule, the Guardian reported.

Separate Guardian reporting on the injury toll detailed problems for clubs across the Premier League. Sunderland's Brian Brobbey and Dan Ballard suffered strains while representing the Netherlands and Northern Ireland respectively. Bournemouth's Alex Scott faces up to two months out after a quadriceps injury worsened during England's win over Croatia. Those reported absences underline the player-availability concerns surrounding the window.

Arsenal also emerged with injury concerns after sending 17 players on international duty. Kai Havertz sustained a hamstring problem for Germany, while Christos Tzolis injured his hamstring playing for Greece. Both were hurt against the Netherlands. Ezri Konsa withdrew from England's squad, and Max Dowman left an England Under-19 match following a heavy tackle, according to the newspaper's separate account.

The problems extended beyond English clubs. Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala suffered a torn muscle in his right thigh on Germany duty. France's Kylian Mbappé sprained his knee. The reports establish that those injuries occurred during the window, without demonstrating that the revised schedule caused each individual injury.

No reversal has been announced. The Guardian reported that the international calendar is fixed until 2030. One federation chief also highlighted the benefit of managers spending longer with their squads, while proposing further assessment.