FIFPRO, the International Federation of Professional Footballers, have slammed the treatment of footballers with the hectic and unforgiving fixture schedule players are subjected to.

The statement reads, “Footballers are treated as inexhaustible resources, not as people. Those who play too much risk their physical and mental integrity.

“Throughout this year, there has been talk of reforming the calendars to protect the health and rest of footballers. A more human, more rational football was promised. But nothing has been put into practice.

“The Club World Cup is designed to maximise income regardless of the suffering of the footballers or the spectators. There is no planning, no prevention, no respect. There is only an obsession with economic gain.

“FIFA continues to act with arrogance, without listening, without dialoguing, without consulting. Instead of opening spaces for participation to all sectors that make up the football industry, it chooses to discriminate and exclude.”

Howard Webb is completely wrong in his explanation of why Virgil van Dijk’s header deserved to be disallowed against Liverpool.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Liverpool’s equaliser against Man City should have stood on Sunday, 9 November.

Giorgi Mamardashvili was controversially punished for bringing Jeremy Doku down in the penalty area, and while Erling Haaland missed from the spot, he was on hand to make up for his errors minutes later.

Van Dijk’s equaliser could have completely changed the game for the Reds, but after re-analysing the incident, with Andy Robertson in an offside position, Howard Webb appeared to support the decision.

Listen to the audio of Virgil van Dijk’s goal against Manchester City being disallowed 🔊

Speaking on Match Officials Mic’d Up, PGMO chief Howard Webb explains why VAR did not intervene to overturn the decision. pic.twitter.com/l3sYMYmjJR

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 11, 2025

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Keith Hackett fundamentally disagrees with PGMOL boss’ explanation

The decision was heavily debated, with many suggesting that Robertson never interfered with play, and speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett is fully against the PGMOL boss’ explanation.

“We have seen an explanation from the PGMOL in regards to the goal that was ruled out for offside following that Virgil van Dijk header, and Robertson being judged as offside,” he said.

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“I have listened to Howard Webb‘s explanation, and there’s no question that there is always subjectivity around this type of offence. Robertson was in an offside position. However, the goalkeeper’s sight was unobstructed.

“The action of Robertson bending down did not impact the goalkeeper’s ability to make a save. Therefore, in my opinion, along with many others, the goal should have been allowed.

“Liverpool had every right to ask for an explanation from Howard Webb. Sadly, his explanation at this time, I disagree with. I acknowledge the subjectivity, but Robertson did not impact on the goalkeeper.”

Jamie Carragher has already shown why Howard Webb is wrong

Analysing the incident in detail following the final whistle, Jamie Carragher walked through each step of the disallowed goal, and his explanation was far more detailed than Webb’s.

He showed proof that Gianluigi Donnarumma was already on his way to the opposite corner, so when Van Dijk aimed for the opposite corner, the goalkeeper’s reaction was extremely delayed.

It took the Italy international until the ball was already above Robertson’s head before Donnarumma planted his foot and pushed in the correct direction, meaning that the ducking motion could have played no part whatsoever.

It has been baffling to see Webb remain strong on his officials’ standpoint on the controversial incident while the rest of the footballing world hits out at the decision. But it appears nothing will change anytime soon.

Real Madrid Willing To Sacrifice Star Player In Swap Deal With Liverpool

Xabi Alonso would be ‘delighted’ to have him at Madrid.

Real Madrid are open to the idea of a swap deal involving Rodrygo, according to reports in Spain, with Xabi Alonso willing to ‘facilitate’ a move for one of Liverpool’s summer signings.

Since joining the club in a £39 million move from Santos, Rodrygo has made over 250 appearances for Los Blancos across a trophy-laden six-year spell.

He impressed under Carlo Ancelotti, winning three La Liga titles and the Champions League twice, but the Brazil international has played a bit-part role of late, especially under new manager Xabi Alonso.

As a result, Rodrygo was heavily linked with a summer move. Arsenal and Chelsea were both rumoured to be interested alongside recently-crowned Premier League champions Liverpool.

Spanish publication AS claimed Liverpool expressed an interest and were keeping tabs on his delicate situation at Madrid, but they eventually focused on other targets, including Florian Wirtz.

Rodrygo has struggled for starts under Xabi Alonso. Image credit: Getty

Wirtz, who eventually joined Liverpool for £116 million, had been tracked by Madrid for several months.

However, the Spanish club were unwilling to meet the demands made by Bayer Leverkusen and proceeded to withdraw from the bidding process, according to Spanish publication Defensa Central.

The report also claims Wirtz ‘wouldn’t have hesitated’ to join Los Blancos if they had made a suitable offer.

In fact, as the German struggles to adapt to life in the Premier League, Madrid would be willing to include Rodrygo in an audacious swap deal for Wirtz.

“Xabi Alonso would be delighted to have him,” the report says. “For now, Real Madrid are following him very closely, aware that he could become a very interesting option to strengthen their midfield in the future.”

It adds: “But in the short term, it seems like a virtually impossible move, because Liverpool won’t want to sell him so soon, however interested they may be in Rodrygo.”

What has Rodrygo said about Liverpool?

Before his move to Madrid, the Brazilian forward came close to signing for Liverpool for just £2.5 million.

“We didn’t close the deal (with Liverpool) because I didn’t want to,” Rodrygo said in 2024. “I wanted to stay at Santos even though the offer was very good… finally, I was able to fulfil my dream of playing for Santos.”

“But it’s true, I almost went to Liverpool in 2017.”

Rodrygo came up against Liverpool this month. Image credit: Getty

Despite turning Liverpool down, he has expressed his admiration for the club and its fans.

Speaking ahead of a Champions League clash at Anfield in 2023, he said: “The game there is going to be very difficult, we already know this. Playing against Liverpool is always difficult whether with or without fans, but at Anfield even more.”