I appreciate that you have all the possibilities mapped out.

I wanted you all to qualify directly to improve the chance of Norway getting a playoff spot, but alas it was not to be.

Best wishes in the playoffs!

The WADA announcement also had this about Tramadol:

Tramadol has been on WADA’s Monitoring Program and data gathered through that program have indicated significant use in sports.

Tramadol abuse, with its risk of physical dependence, opiate use disorder and overdoses, is of concern worldwide and has led to it being a controlled drug in many countries.

Research studies funded by WADA, as referenced in the Explanatory Note, have also confirmed the potential for tramadol to enhance sports performance.

WADA usually only gives a few months lead-time before a drug is banned, but I’m glad they gave 1-year+ bc they know how addictive Tramadol can be for some users.

FYI, this is how WADA decides what to ban; For a substance or method to be added to the List, it must be determined that it meets at least two of the following three criteria:

--> It has the potential to enhance or enhances sport performance

--> It represents an actual or potential health risk to the athletes

--> It violates the spirit of sport

Thanks for sharing the summary results graphic!

And congrats to Mia Fishel for her 1st WSL/Chelsea goal!

Nusa - 2 assists for Erling in 2 games!

The back-to-back appearance percentages for the players profiled in the report is pretty alarming so I hope they can figure out a viable solution.

Very mind blowing!

In the report, there is a wow visual of Jude’s minutes (club & country) at age 20 v other players at age 20, but here is the data:

• 829 Beckham
• 2,853 Gerrard
• 3,477 Lampard
• 9,187 Owen
• 10,989 Rooney
• 14,445 Jude

I know!!

They are so competitive so to me that adds to the complexity of the issue & possible solutions/options.

Even taking into account the drive to increase revenue, the club & country organizations do not seem all that concerned w the welfare of their most valuable assets, their players .

The FIFPRO report is a very well research report I highly recommend!

2023 FIFPRO Extreme Calendar Congestion: Adverse Effects on Player Health & Wellbeing Report

Key findings/takeaways:

• While the risks of injury and deteriorating performance are widely known, the report also illustrates dangers to career longevity, mental health, and personal lives.
• Today’s elite young players like Vinicius Jr have played up to double previous generation.
• Football stakeholders have disregarded health safeguards in favour of competition expansion to generate more revenue. eg expanded Club World Cup & Champions League, which could increase number of games by 11% for top players.
• FIFPRO seeks mandatory season breaks, limit on back-to-back games to protect players, and the minimisation of international travel.

The clubs & fans are negatively impacted also:

• The report also analyses the cost of injuries to clubs, broadcasters, and fans because of the large number of players missing matches in the ‘big five’ leagues this {22/23} season.

Minutes for current U25 vs previous generations:

• Vinicius Jr has at age 22 already played 18,876 minutes club and national team football, more than twice as much as former Brazil playmaker Ronaldinho at the same age.
• Spain’s Pedri had at the age of 20 played more than 12,000 minutes, 25 percent more minutes than Xavi at the same age.
• France’s Kylian Mbappe has at age 24 played 26,952 minutes, 48 percent more minutes than Thierry Henry at the same age.
• Jude Bellingham will have played more than 30 percent more minutes of competitive football by his 20th birthday later this month than Wayne Rooney, at the same age.

adding - I hope more players better leverage FIFPRO data/services to organize, speak & act on the player welfare challenges.