Pep Guardiola has told elite soccer players they are the only ones who can force change in a growing dispute over the number of games they are being asked to play. Manchester City midfielder Rodri says players are close to going on strike because of an increasingly congested schedule that will be added to next year by an expanded Club World Cup in the United States.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola on Friday urged players to lead the fight for change in the heated debate over the dangers posed by an increased fixture schedule as Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany demanded a cap on games.

Pep Guardiola has told elite soccer players that they are the only ones who can force change in the face of a growing dispute over the number of games they are being asked to play.