– We have to take care of ourselves, we are the ones who play the main roles in the sport. Or the business, it depends how you look at it. Rodri said that at a press conference before Manchester City will play their first match in the new Champions League. The group stage has been replaced by a series game, and each club gets two extra games in from before the almost fully packed calendar. – It’s starting to become totally unacceptable, both physically and not least psychologically, says news’s football expert and VIking player Kristoffer Løkberg. Now the sausage is so full that it is about to burst, says Rodri. – With 40 to 50 games it is possible to perform. After that, the level drops, you are not able to perform as well. This season there could be 70-80 games, says Manchester City’s valuable midfielder. INJURY: Rodri is on the grass during the EC this summer. There he played all the matches for Spain. Photo: INA FASSBENDER / AFP He won European Championship gold with Spain this summer. Then it was time to start the season with Manchester City. This season ends with the WC for club teams, which has its final on 13 July next summer. – Do you think it will get to a point where, after playing so many games, the players will go on strike or refuse to play when the calendar is so full? – Yes. I think we are close to that, replied Rodri and elaborated: – It is easy to understand. You can ask anyone and they will answer the same. It is not my opinion, it is a general opinion among all the players. If it continues like this we will have no choice. Have there been too many games during one season? Yes, now there have been too many No, that’s how much the footballers have to endure I don’t care Show result Kristoffer Løkberg hopes players stand together for a common message to let them know that enough is enough, and uses the international players’ association FIFPro. He also believes it could all end with a general strike among the superstars. – In the end, it is the only means of action, says Løkberg. – Perhaps we see that players more often turn down the national team. It’s terribly sad for national team football, but it’s fast the first thing that’s going to happen. news EXPERT: Kristoffer Løkberg. Photo: Nicolai Eid Trondal / news Maheta Molango is head of the English players’ association. According to Sky Sports, they are now considering taking the term list to court. – This is the year we can look at the calendar and say “this is not working”. As I have said before, this is not a problem for the players. It is a problem for everyone in football, says Molango according to Sky Sports. Extremely hard-working Midfielder Rodri is an extremely important piece for both Manchester City and Spain. Last year he played 34 out of 38 games in the league. The season started with a Community Shield match against Arsenal on 8 August. One week later the Premier League started, and then the tournaments came close: the Super Cup European Championship qualification with Spain The Champions League The World Cup for club teams The FA Cup European Championship run-up with Spain European Championship with Spain – It’s not all about money, it’s also about quality. When I get time to rest, I perform better, said Rodri. – Nobody is asking us players to add more matches. Maybe our opinion doesn’t matter. Everyone knows what we think, everyone is tired of it, said Liverpool’s goalkeeper Alisson at a press conference on Monday. – We are not stupid. We understand that. “We understand that people want more games, but the sensible thing to do would be if all the players (behind the tournaments) and the people responsible for the calendar can sit down and listen to everyone, including the players,” Alisson added. In great form after the break Erling Braut Haaland did not play at the EC this summer, and has looked razor sharp this Premier League season. Former top scorer Darren Bent believes Haaland’s break is the main reason why he is now scoring goals. At Tuesday’s press conference, VG asked if Halaand was a good example that a longer break between seasons is necessary. – Yes, maybe he is a good example. He had a long break, as his country did not qualify for the European Championship. Then a long break and you see how he performs now. It gives you a clue as to why we are asking for this, said Rodri. But Norwegian players are also familiar with the tough programme. In March this year, Fredrik Aursnes joined the national team at the age of 28. – I feel that I want more time and freedom to prioritize other things than football in my life, said Aursnes at the time. news has submitted the criticism to the European Football Association. They have not yet responded, but previously they have stated this to news about the increasing match load: – Uefa has clearly shown that we are fully committed to respecting the sport’s fundamental values and to defending the important principle of open competitions, with qualification based on sporting merits, which are completely in line with the values and the solidarity-based European sports model. Published 17.09.2024, at 18.12
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Fear of a strike among the superstars – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcast schedule
