\n<\/p>\n
David Wheeler, former Wycombe Wanderers midfielder and one of football’s most vocal environmental advocates, sees climate change increasingly affecting the game, saying it is “becoming a lot more obvious to players and more of a topic of conversation”.<\/p>\n
Wheeler, who is the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Sustainability Champion, believes the sport has a responsibility to do more.<\/p>\n
“Unfortunately I don’t think the major governing bodies and organisations are really taking that responsibility seriously at the moment,” he says.<\/p>\n
“These organisations don’t deserve to profit from sport if they’re not going to use their power for the betterment of sport.”<\/p>\n
Wheeler also wants footballers to use their platform more to speak out on environmental issues.<\/p>\n
“It could have a huge impact,” he said. “But it’s also important that clubs and fans’ groups also insulate the players because there’s going to be that inevitable backlash that they’re a hypocrite.<\/p>\n
“The majority of us are hypocrites to some degree. We’re not perfect and that’s OK, just as long as we’re trying to do as much as we can.”<\/p>\n
One player who does not shy away from using his platform to champion environmental issues is Real Betis defender Hector Bellerin.<\/p>\n