# PFA Chief Calls Football System 'Sick'

> PFA chief says football's overwork crisis leaves players like Cole Palmer unable to play.
- Title: PFA Chief Calls Football System 'Sick' · BBC Sport | Shortify
- Summary: PFA chief says football's overwork crisis leaves players like Cole Palmer unable to play. PFA chief claims football's unsustainable calendar makes players…
- Keywords: cole palmer, pfa, professional footballers association, england national team, thomas tuchel, premier league, football calendar, sports, Chief, Calls, Football, System
- Source: BBC Sport — https://bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c68048pynj94o
- Published: 2026-09-29T15:37:43.265+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: cole palmer, pfa, professional footballers association, england national team, thomas tuchel, premier league, football calendar, sports
## PFA Chief's Warning
PFA chief Maheta Molango says football's calendar is unsustainable for players.

> Cole palmer is the victim of a sick system that expects too much of players
## Five Players Withdrawn
Five players including cole palmer pulled out of england's squad ahead of international window.

> Five players, palmer, rashford, rice, mainoo and livramento pulled out
## Molango's Critique
Molango says players like palmer miss opportunities due to overwork, not choice.

> He's missing because he's a victim of the calendar and that's something that needs to absolutely trigger the alarm bells
## Tuchel's Response
Tuchel claims palmer misses opportunities by withdrawing for load management.

> The forward misses too many opportunities
## Molango's Broader View
Molango says similar withdrawals affect germany, netherlands and france players too.

> Kai havertz, brian brobbey and kylian mbappe also withdrew recently
## Proposed Fix
Molango wants mandatory three-week summer break and retraining period for players.

> Molango wants to see a mandatory three-week summer break and three-week retraining period
## Key takeaway

PFA chief claims football's unsustainable calendar makes players like Cole Palmer unable to compete.