Wenger to lead Fifa taskforce on player welfare

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is now Fifa's chief of global football development

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will lead a Fifa taskforce on player welfare amid concerns about the football calendar.

This month the top European leagues and players' union Fifpro filed a legal complaint against Fifa to the European Commission over what they claim is an "abuse of dominance" by world football's governing body over the international fixture calendar.

The players' union is part of the taskforce led by Fifa's chief of global football development Wenger along with representatives from Fifa’s member associations, confederations, the European Club Association and the World Leagues Association.

"The objective of the taskforce is to examine how suitable and effective safeguards for players can be implemented, also taking into account practical considerations from operational, medical, regulatory and legal perspectives," Fifa said.

It will then "make recommendations informed by the latest scientific research into the topic of players’ physical and mental wellbeing".

The group is set to convene in the coming weeks.

An already busy European football calendar has been further congested by the expanded Club World Cup, which will be staged in the United States from 15 June to 13 July next year.

Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri recently said players are close to going on strike in protest at an increase in games.