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    ‘Player burnout is BIG conversation in dressing rooms and strike action can’t be ruled out’, says Tottenham ace

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    BEN DAVIES says player burnout talk among Prem stars has increased since Rodri’s injury.And Tottenham’s long-serving defender refused to rule out future strike action over the increased workload sparked by Fifa’s new Club World Cup next year.Ben Davies attended a McDonald’s Football Fun session at Cheshunt FCDavies admitted Rodri’s injury has stoked up the ‘burnout’ talkCredit: ReutersManchester City’s Rodri warned his peers were close to going on strike over the bursting calendar – days before the Ballon d’Or winner suffered a season-ending knee injury against Arsenal last month.Player welfare is a hot topic across Prem dressing rooms and Davies said: “It’s something that players right now have been talking about.”And it’s become a big conversation – and probably even more of a conversation since we saw Rodri discuss it and then have a pretty serious injury.”Davies, 31, is Spurs’ PFA representative and pleaded recently for a three-week football blackout to help tackle the thorny subject.Read More FootballLiverpool’s Andy Robertson then called for a taskforce of players and managers to be set up in a bid to solve the sport’s crazy fixture pile-up.When asked if Robertson’s idea is a good one, Davies added: “It’s a difficult one right now. It’s probably a sensitive topic.”When you have seen the unions in other sports, especially in the US, come together and in the past they have taken some serious and drastic action with strikes and stuff like that…”Davies is referring to industrial action taken in America which has seen lock-outs in basketball, baseball and hockey.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSSo does the Welshman ever see the threat of striking becoming a genuine reality?He replied: “It’s difficult to say never. I don’t know.Top 10 highest paid footballers”That conversation has picked up in the last year or so. In football I’ve never seen it before.”Davies hopes for change but the Tottenham star believes it is down to the governing bodies rather than the players to sort out the calendar.He said: “It’s a tough one. There are times when there are so many games and it feels very continuous. “We wouldn’t mind a solid block of time away from football.”But, ultimately, we are in a situation where there are a lot of games and there are a lot of playing competitions. You do want to be involved in them all.”As much as players will say what they want or would like to happen, it’s probably out of our hands until the competition organisers agree on finding a schedule that works for everyone.”Long-serving defender Davies scores a rare goal for TottenhamCredit: ReutersTV fixtures in DecemberHere are all the games that will be televised in December…Tuesday 3 December19:30 Ipswich v Crystal Palace (Amazon Prime Video)20:15 Leicester v West Ham (Amazon Prime Video)Wednesday 4 December19:30 Everton v Wolves (Amazon Prime Video)19:30 Man City v Nott’m Forest (Amazon Prime Video)19:30 Newcastle v Liverpool (Amazon Prime Video)19:30 Southampton v Chelsea (Amazon Prime Video)20:15 Arsenal v Man Utd (Amazon Prime Video)20:15 Aston Villa v Brentford (Amazon Prime Video)Thursday 5 December19:30 Fulham v Brighton (Amazon Prime Video)20:15 AFC Bournemouth v Spurs (Amazon Prime Video)Saturday 7 December12:30 Everton v Liverpool (TNT Sports)17:30 Man Utd v Nott’m Forest (Sky Sports)Sunday 8 December14:00 Fulham v Arsenal (Sky Sports)16:30 Spurs v Chelsea (Sky Sports)Monday 9 December20:00 West Ham v Wolves (Sky Sports)Saturday 14 December17:30 Nott’m Forest v Aston Villa (Sky Sports)Sunday 15 December14:00 AFC Bournemouth v West Ham (Sky Sports)16:30 Man City v Man Utd (Sky Sports)19:00 Southampton v Spurs (TNT Sports)Monday 16 December20:00 Brighton v Crystal Palace (Sky Sports)Saturday 21 December12:30 Aston Villa v Man City (TNT Sports)17:30 Crystal Palace v Arsenal (Sky Sports)Sunday 22 December14:00 Fulham v Southampton (Sky Sports)16:30 Spurs v Liverpool (Sky Sports)Thursday 26 December12:30 Man City v Everton (Amazon Prime Video)15:00 AFC Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (Amazon Prime Video)15:00 Chelsea v Fulham (Amazon Prime Video)15:00 Newcastle v Aston Villa (Amazon Prime Video)15:00 Nott’m Forest v Spurs (Amazon Prime Video)15:00 Southampton v West Ham (Amazon Prime Video)17:30 Wolves v Man Utd (Amazon Prime Video)20:00 Liverpool v Leicester (Amazon Prime Video)Friday 27 December19:30 Brighton v Brentford (Amazon Prime Video)20:15 Arsenal v Ipswich (Amazon Prime Video)Sunday 29 December14:30 Leicester v Man City (Sky Sports)17:15 West Ham v Liverpool (Sky Sports)Monday 30 December20:00 Man Utd v Newcastle (Sky Sports)Davies has made almost 300 Premier League appearances with Swansea and Tottenham.The left-back has also won 90 caps with Wales and played at two Euros finals and a World Cup.But Davies has played the same number of games for his country as his club – four – this season.He has made three Europa League appearances – as well as one in the Carabao Cup.Although, he is waiting for his first Prem action, he could be involved for Ange Postecoglou’s men at home to Rodri’s City in tonight’s Carabao Cup fourth round clash.Davies, who moved to the North Londoners a decade ago and is in the final year of his contract, says Tottenham hold the cards on his future.He added: “That’s probably in the club’s hands and not so much mine.“I’ve been at the club a long time. My wife is from London, my son was born here. “It’s definitely a huge part of my life. I’m very settled here right now.”I do hope I will get more minutes. Sometimes in football you have to bide your time.“All I can do is keep myself in as good nick as I can, work hard every day and when I do get those minutes then I have to do my best to show I am still capable of performing at the highest level.”Davies, who attended a McDonald’s Fun Football session, said: “It’s incredible to see all these kids playing football. “It shows how important programmes like McDonald’s Fun Football are to communities across Wales. READ MORE SUN STORIES”As a parent, I love seeing kids getting active and having fun.”Ben Davies was celebrating the latest free wave of McDonald’s Fun Football sessions this Autumn, available to all children aged 5-11 across Wales. Sign up now for your nearest free session at mcdonalds.co.uk/football . More

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      Watch footballer score Puskas contender with sensational last-minute overhead kick that is ‘better than Garnacho’s’

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      FOOTBALL fans were left blown away as a player scored a goal worthy of pipping Alejandro Garnacho to the 2024’s Puskas Award.The annual trophy is given to the star deemed to have netted the best strike in the past calendar year.A contender for this year’s Puskas Award has emergedCredit: ESPNWalter Bou chested the ball down with his back to goalCredit: ESPNBou unleashed an incredible bicycle kick that had the stadium in aweCredit: ESPNMany fans said it was better than Alejandro Garnacho’s acrobatics at EvertonCredit: ESPNWith seconds remaining, Walter Bou chested down a cross before setting himself up for an outrageous bicycle-kick from outside the box.The ball hovered in the air for what seemed like an eternity before chipping goalkeeper Felipe Tomas Zenobio in the 90th minute to win it for his side.The mind-blowing strike was hit in Garnacho’s homeland of Argentina as Lanus beat Tigre 3-2 on Sunday night.The 30-year old’s goal sent his team-mates wild as he calmly stood up and pointed at his head in celebration.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSupporters could not resist hailing and comparing the strike online.One wrote: “That’s better than Garnacho’s.”A second said: “Just give Walter Bou the Puskas award now.”A third declared: “Watching this live was just crazy… scoring a game winner like this is just insane.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWhile another chimed in: “Has to be top five goals I’ve ever seen in my life, an 89th minute winner too? Unreal.”Botafogo’s Guilherme Madruga scooped the Puskas Award in 2023 despite being run close by Sporting Lisbon’s Pedro Goncalves.Alejandro Garnacho’s stunning bicycle kick for Man Utd IS the best Premier League goal of all time as we reveal top 10Manchester United fans think Garnacho is favourite to lift it this year after his stunning overhead strike at Everton last November.Garnacho could not be nominated last year because the awards were given from the period from 19th December 2022 to 20th August 2023 to cover the Qatar World Cup.So the United winger is among the top contenders to nab the 2024 trophy – but now has a clear rival ahead of the award ceremony on October 28. More

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      Spain’s Female Soccer Players Strike Over Wage Dispute

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      The season was scheduled to begin on Friday, but the players refused to play after talks with the league brought no agreement. The dispute comes amid a debate over sexism and soccer in Spain.Female soccer players in Spain are going on strike as the club season begins, a union representative said on Thursday, as a dispute over conduct by the head of the country’s soccer federation widened into a fight with their clubs over pay.Early this month, the women’s players’ union announced that if working conditions did not improve considerably before the start of the season on Friday, the women would not play the matches set to begin this weekend.The dispute is playing out amid broader upheaval in Spanish soccer, with the firing on Tuesday of the women’s national soccer coach, Jorge Vilda, whom players had criticized for his domineering management style, and the filing of a criminal complaint against Luis Rubiales, the head of the country’s soccer federation, by Jennifer Hermoso, a player on the national women’s team whom he forcibly kissed during a public celebration of the team’s World Cup final victory in Australia last month.Representatives of the Spanish women’s soccer league and unions failed to reach an agreement during meetings in Madrid this week, with pay being the biggest point of contention.Protesters holding red cards calling for the resignation of Luis Rubiales, the head of Spain’s soccer federation, in Barcelona this week.David Ramos/Getty ImagesThe players asked for three years of progressive increases to bring their minimum wage up to 30,000 euros (about $32,000) a year, but the league proposed an increase, over three years, to €25,000. The current minimum for female players in the country is €16,000, compared with €180,000 for their male counterparts, according to Spain’s chief player union, A.F.E.“The irresponsibility and lack of spirit and vision of the unions lead clubs and players to a strike that seriously damages the image of Spanish women’s football,” the women’s league said in a statement on Wednesday.Spain’s female soccer players have been demanding higher wages and better conditions for years. They reached their first collective bargaining agreement in 2020 and have since been pushing for the country’s soccer league to improve conditions. The players are seeking higher wages, contracts that continue during maternity leave, and access to the same nutritionists and physical therapists as the male players.The strike will affect games scheduled for Friday through Sunday and Sept. 15 to 17.Discussions are due to continue next week between the league and unions in the hopes of reaching an agreement. More

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      Militant rail union bosses try to wreck FA Cup final and Derby by unleashing strike misery on sports fans

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      BITTER rail union bosses are unleashing strike misery on one of the biggest sporting days of the year.Aslef’s Mick Whelan — a self-styled pal of the workers — will try to wreck two of their favourite events.
      Rail union bosses are unleashing strike misery on footie fans heading to the FA Cup final, which Liverpool won last yearCredit: Getty
      The FA Cup final will be held at Wembley Stadium on June 3Credit: Alamy
      Racegoers and punters must make new travel plans for the Epsom Derby the same dayCredit: PA
      Disruption on June 3 will hit fans going to the FA Cup Final and racegoers heading to Epsom for The Derby.
      The walkout, one of three by Aslef, will inflict transport hell on 80,000 Manchester City and Manchester United followers.
      Aslef members will also strike on May 12 and May 31.
      In another major blow, rail workers with the RMT union will strike on May 13 — the day of the Eurovision final in Liverpool.
      READ MORE ON STRIKE CHAOS
      Aslef general secretary Mick ­Whelan, who enjoys a £151,371-a- year package, has a desk full of Chelsea memorabilia.
      His side were thrashed 4-0 by City in the Cup’s third round.
      Aslef president David Calfe is an Arsenal fan, whose team lost 4-1 to City in Wednesday’s title clash.
      Tory MP Brendan Clarke-Smith said: “This looks like nothing more than sour grapes on the part of the union after their teams have lost.
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      “The actions of Aslef will ruin the plans for football fans, families and those wanting to experience Eurovision. I’m giving them nul points.”
      Kevin Parker, of the Manchester City Official Supporters Club, said: “This is the last thing we need.”
      The Manchester United Supporters Trust added: “We need all modes of transport available to cope with the level of demand and the railways are a key part of that.
      “We call on the Government and union to find a way to avert this.”
      The May 12 eve-of-Eurovision action will hit 3,000 Ukrainians invited to the song contest which their war-torn nation cannot host.
      In another major blow, rail workers with the RMT union will strike on May 13, the day of the Eurovision final in Liverpool
      Aslef members will also strike on May 12 and May 31Credit: LNP
      Footie fans will be travelling to six Premier League fixtures on May 13.
      Families planning half-term trips later in May, and cricket fans heading to the England vs Ireland Test match at Lord’s also face chaos.
      Downing Street called the walkouts “incredibly disappointing”.
      A No10 spokesman said: “We believe the offer that’s on the table is fair and reasonable.”
      Tory MP Greg Smith, who sits on the Transport Select Committee, said: “Unbelievable that Aslef want to inflict more misery on the great British public at such an important time in the sporting calendar.
      “They need to understand the damage they are doing and reflect on the high salaries they enjoy.”
      Tory MP Caroline Dinenage said of the song contest final: “This is Ukraine’s Eurovision and British people have put their heart and soul into doing it justice for them.
      “It feels heartless to deprive Ukrainian people the rare opportunity for escapism after everything they have endured.”
      The strikes will heap further pain on pubs and restaurants trying to recover from the pandemic. The sector has lost more than £3billion in sales as a result of the strikes and the high-demand summer ­period will now be impacted.
      Kate Nicholls, of UK Hospitality, said: “It’s incredibly frustrating that almost a year on from the start of this dispute, there appears to be no resolution in sight.”
      Aslef announced its strikes after a meeting of the executive. Mr Whelan described the new pay offer of eight per cent over two years as “risible”.
      He said: “The proposal was clearly not designed to be accepted as inflation is still running north of ten per cent and our members at these companies have not had an increase for four years.”
      The union said all non-contractual overtime from May 15 for six days and also on ­Saturday 13 and Thursday June 1 will be withdrawn, which will likely affect services.
      The RMT turned down an offer which included a first-year payment of five per cent but only if no ­further walkouts would take place
      Aslef general secretary Mick ­Whelan, who enjoys a £151,371-a- year package, has a desk full of Chelsea memorabiliaCredit: Getty
      Aslef president David Calfe is an Arsenal fan, whose team lost 4-1 to City in Wednesday’s title clash
      Boss Mick Lynch said: “We have no alternative but to press ahead with more strike action.”
      Transport Secretary Mark Harper called on Aslef to let its members vote on the deal put forward by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG).
      He said: “It is deeply disappointing that Aslef has decided to call strikes and ban overtime, targeting thousands of people attending the UK’s first Eurovision event in 25 years, including Ukrainians displaced by Putin’s war, and the first all-Manchester FA Cup final.
      “The offer from the RDG included urgent reform to ensure our railways are financially sustainable for the benefit of passengers, workers and the taxpayer as well as delivering a pay rise for members whose salary already averages £60,000.
      “Aslef need to call off strikes and give their members a say on this.”
      Aslef said it had met employers eight times over a year to find a resolution. They claimed they had to hold eight strike days before the Government would even negotiate.
      A union source added: “The teams Mick and Dave support have no bearing on the days action will be taken.”
      They added they have to give 14 days notice to call strikes to try to ensure rosters are filled.
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      The Rail Delivery Group said: “Senselessly targeting Eurovision and the FA Cup final is disappointing for all those planning to attend.
      “We urge Aslef leadership to rejoin us at the negotiating table.” More