Global players' union Fifpro was notably absent from a crucial meeting led by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, where discussions on player welfare led to an agreement on a minimum three-week off-season break, according to information received by BBC Sport.
FIFA, the governing body of world football, claimed that the talks held in New York on the eve of the Club World Cup final addressed significant issues concerning player health, including matters related to the international match calendar.
During these discussions, FIFA stated there was a consensus on ensuring at least 72 hours of rest between matches and a minimum 21-day rest period at the end of each season, although this falls a week short of Fifpro's demands.
FIFA praised the productive discussions between Infantino, other officials, and representatives from various player unions worldwide, focusing specifically on player rest and recovery. However, BBC Sport has learned that no official from Fifpro, which represents 66,000 men's and women's players globally, or the Professional Footballers' Association, representing players in England and Wales, attended the meeting.
The binding nature of these agreements remains unclear. BBC sources indicate that Fifpro's leadership is critical of the process leading to the announcement and does not recognize some officials in a photograph FIFA released of the meeting. FIFA has been approached for comment.
Last year, amid a backlash over the expansion of the Club World Cup, Fifpro filed a legal complaint against FIFA, alleging it had misused its role under European competition law by intensifying the fixture schedule.
Last month, Fifpro released a study advocating for a minimum four-week off-season break to protect players from exhaustion and excessive workloads. The pressure on players is further exacerbated by the quick turnaround between games, particularly for Premier League teams participating in the Europa League and Conference League, who play on Thursday nights and then again on Sunday.
On Sunday, FIFA stated that a rest day each week should be planned and that player travel, especially long-haul intercontinental trips, as well as the weather conditions during matches, should be considered for the next international Match Calendar. The impact of the recent meeting on the legal action remains uncertain.
Last month, Fifpro expressed concerns about the extreme heat players faced at the Club World Cup, demanding more flexibility from FIFA on kick-off times and protocols. FIFA acknowledged the importance of balancing national team football with club football and domestic, continental, and global club competitions.
In September, just a week before suffering an ACL injury, Manchester City midfielder Rodri mentioned that players were close to striking due to the increasing number of games. His teammate, Manuel Akanji, suggested he might have to retire by age 30 because of the lack of breaks in the calendar.