As much as 75% of men's professional footballers opt for maintaining the current World Cup cycle and want it to be played every four years, global players'&nbsp;union FIFPRO said in a statement on Tuesday.

In November FIFPRO surveyed more than 1,000 players from six continents, including more than 70 different nationalities, following a proposal by football's governing body FIFA to switch to a biennial format.

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A regional breakdown showed that 77% of players from both Europe and Asia prefer the World Cup to occur every four years, with 63% of footballers from the Americas&nbsp;sharing their view.

Among the African players, 49% favoured the tournament every four years, with the remainder split between a two or three-year cycle, the survey showed.

Only 21% of the participants believed their voice was respected and their well-being considered in the governance of international football.

"The player survey shows most footballers around the world have a clear preference to play the World Cup every four years," FIFPRO General Secretary Jonas Baer-Hoffmann said.

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"At the same time, the results demonstrate the importance of domestic league competitions to players.

"These leagues are the bedrock of our game and we have to do more to strengthen them both for the sake of players and the overall stability of professional football."

As much as 75% of men's professional footballers opt for maintaining the current World Cup cycle and want it to be played every four years, global players' union FIFPRO said in a statement on Tuesday.

As much as 75% of men's professional footballers opt for maintaining the current World Cup cycle and want it to be played every four years, global players' union FIFPRO said in a statement on Tuesday. In November FIFPRO surveyed more than 1,000 players from six continents, including more than 70 different nationalities, following a proposal by football's governing body FIFA to switch to a biennial format. ALSO READ: Brazil vs Argentina World Cup qualifier to be replayed after Sao Paulo farce A regional breakdown showed that 77% of players from both Europe and Asia prefer the World Cup to occur every four years, with 63% of footballers from the Americas sharing their view. Among the African players, 49% favoured the tournament every four years, with the remainder split between a two or three-year cycle, the survey showed. Only 21% of the participants believed their voice was respected and their well-being considered in the governance of international football. "The player survey shows most footballers around the world have a clear preference to play the World Cup every four years," FIFPRO General Secretary Jonas Baer-Hoffmann said. ALSO READ: FIFA Club World Cup: Chelsea secures maiden title after Kai Havertz's late penalty "At the same time, the results demonstrate the importance of domestic league competitions to players. "These leagues are the bedrock of our game and we have to do more to strengthen them both for the sake of players and the overall stability of professional football."

75% of men's professional footballers opt for maintaining the current World Cup cycle: FIFPRO

The head of global players' union FIFPro has given his backing to footballers who do no want to return to training because of coronavirus fears and cautioned that it would be "inhumane and unacceptable" if they were to be punished for taking such a stance.

Jonas Baer-Hoffmann's comments come after Troy Deeney of English Premier League side Watford refused to restart training ahead of a possible resumption of the season because he does not want to put his young child, who has breathing difficulties, at risk of catching the virus.

Deeney has also cited fears his family could be in danger because of figures that show black and ethnic minorities in the UK -- which has the highest recorded death toll in Europe -- are more likely to become seriously ill with COVID-19.

Deeney is "a player who has very legitimate concerns and wants to protect his family", Baer-Hoffmann said in a conference call with reporters on Wednesday.

"If these players are being pressured or potentially facing disciplinary actions, we feel that is very much unacceptable.

"The idea that somebody may be punished in a pandemic for trying to protect his family's health is inhumane and unacceptable."

However, there is no suggestion that Watford are planning to take disciplinary action against Deeney.

Several players in England have voiced concerns about returning to training, even in small groups.

Watford were among the Premier League clubs affected by six positive tests for the virus out of a total of 748 tests conducted on Sunday and Monday.

England defender Danny Rose, on loan at Newcastle United from Tottenham Hotspur, said players were being treated like "lab rats" as the league attempts to get going again.

"No system can actually exclude the risk of infection, so it is a question about the probability by which you minimise that risk and many of the systems that we are seeing and reading about -- not particularly England -- still leave many, many gaps and many risks," Baer-Hoffmann said.

"If the players in England -- of which Danny Rose is a part -- would like stricter rules then that needs to be discussed."

Baer-Hoffmann admitted that plenty of players around the world were keen to get back playing despite the potential risks involved, but said FIFPro recommended that players undertake three to four weeks of training before beginning matches again due to the risk of injuries.

In England the Premier League has been suspended since March 13.

The financial consequences of not restarting would be potentially very serious for clubs, although players at the top level in England are in a better position than some of their counterparts around the globe.

Baer-Hoffmann highlighted the case of players in several Latin American countries, including Colombia and Uruguay, as well as in Botswana and Egypt, who are now relying on food packages from their local players' union "because they cannot even provide for their own basic needs and are being stranded in terms of income".

The head of global players' union FIFPro has given his backing to footballers who do no want to return to training because of coronavirus fears and cautioned that it would be "inhumane and unacceptable" if they were to be punished for taking such a stance.

The head of global players' union FIFPro has given his backing to footballers who do no want to return to training because of coronavirus fears and cautioned that it would be "inhumane and unacceptable" if they were to be punished for taking such a stance. Jonas Baer-Hoffmann's comments come after Troy Deeney of English Premier League side Watford refused to restart training ahead of a possible resumption of the season because he does not want to put his young child, who has breathing difficulties, at risk of catching the virus. Deeney has also cited fears his family could be in danger because of figures that show black and ethnic minorities in the UK -- which has the highest recorded death toll in Europe -- are more likely to become seriously ill with COVID-19. Deeney is "a player who has very legitimate concerns and wants to protect his family", Baer-Hoffmann said in a conference call with reporters on Wednesday. "If these players are being pressured or potentially facing disciplinary actions, we feel that is very much unacceptable. "The idea that somebody may be punished in a pandemic for trying to protect his family's health is inhumane and unacceptable." However, there is no suggestion that Watford are planning to take disciplinary action against Deeney. Several players in England have voiced concerns about returning to training, even in small groups. Watford were among the Premier League clubs affected by six positive tests for the virus out of a total of 748 tests conducted on Sunday and Monday. England defender Danny Rose, on loan at Newcastle United from Tottenham Hotspur, said players were being treated like "lab rats" as the league attempts to get going again. "No system can actually exclude the risk of infection, so it is a question about the probability by which you minimise that risk and many of the systems that we are seeing and reading about -- not particularly England -- still leave many, many gaps and many risks," Baer-Hoffmann said. "If the players in England -- of which Danny Rose is a part -- would like stricter rules then that needs to be discussed." Baer-Hoffmann admitted that plenty of players around the world were keen to get back playing despite the potential risks involved, but said FIFPro recommended that players undertake three to four weeks of training before beginning matches again due to the risk of injuries. In England the Premier League has been suspended since March 13. The financial consequences of not restarting would be potentially very serious for clubs, although players at the top level in England are in a better position than some of their counterparts around the globe. Baer-Hoffmann highlighted the case of players in several Latin American countries, including Colombia and Uruguay, as well as in Botswana and Egypt, who are now relying on food packages from their local players' union "because they cannot even provide for their own basic needs and are being stranded in terms of income".

'Inhumane' - FIFPro chief warns against punishing players who refuse to train over virus fears

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