Liverpool star Andy Robertson becomes the latest high-profile player to criticise the worldwide football calendar
Andy Robertson has become the latest high-profile player to criticise the worldwide football calendar as the Liverpool star called for better consultation from the governing bodies of the game. And the Scotland captain admits everyone involved is frustrated by the lack of dialogue over additional fixtures being jammed into an already packed schedule.
The new format of the Champions League will see those involved play an extra two games this season while a revamped Club World Cup has 32 teams taking part for the first time next summer. Chelsea and Manchester City, as winners of the European Cup in 2021 and 2023, respectively, will take part in the USA competition between June 15 and July 13 next year.
Reds goalkeeper Alisson Becker was outspoken about the demands when it was put to him before the Champions League clash with AC Milan earlier this month, while Manchester City star Rodri shared his own concerns over player welfare recently, before seeing his campaign ended by an ACL injury, picked up in the first half of Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal on September 22.
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A case study undertaken by global union Fifpro earlier this month suggested the “red line” for players’ welfare was between 50 and 60 games a campaign, depending on age, while a mandatory period of three weeks off was also recommended during the summer. The 59-page study came shortly before Rodri claimed some players may even go on strike over the increased workload.
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On Monday, Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber said he agreed with City’s Rodri that too much football is placing the players in harm’s way, describing the pile-up as a “dangerous thing” and that is a view Robertson also shares, with the Liverpool left-back unhappy at the lack of say the players get in the modern era.
“I don’t think the players are ever asked,” Robertson said. “I think that’s where our frustrations lie. We all love playing football. We love playing games. That’s what we work so hard towards. As I speak, we’ve got a game in a few days’ time at Anfield in the Champions League (against Bologna on Wednesday night).
“It’s one of the best games to be involved in. But extra games get added. Extra tournaments get added and I just don’t think players get asked what their opinion of it is and how we feel about it. That’s where the frustration lies with us. These organisations just put on extra games and tournaments and we’re never asked. That’s frustrating.
“It doesn’t seem we have much of a say in it. We just get put out there. We always want to put on a show for the fans. We always want people to get value for money. We know how important fans are to football. When lads are getting overworked or whatever, sometimes you can’t do that. We’ll keep doing it. We’ve got no real option.
“We’ll let other people discuss it. We’ll let other people try to help us out but, like I say, when games are put in front of us, when you are in the changing room you don’t think about it. You get excited by it. You just go out and play your heart out and that’s all we can do. But, in the future, I think it would be best to get the players together and ask their opinion as well.
“Whatever [the governing bodies] think [can help]. There are a lot of experienced professionals, captains who can have a say on these things. They are never asked. Just asking players or managers, it’s always wise to ask the people who can feel it, week-to-week instead of people sitting in offices.”
Robertson added: “So far, so good [this season]. We don’t leave any stone unturned. The staff have been really good at making us prepared for every single game, making sure we are as fresh as possible. It’s the start of a hectic period for us.
“We’ve got games every three days and it won’t end until god-knows-when. Let’s see how we are in the months to come when it really ramps up.
“It’s never easy when you come here (to Wolves). I think we have always had difficult afternoons here. I can’t think of an easy afternoon that we’ve had. I think we could have played better. It’s all about the result. I think we deserve the points in the end. Obviously, it could have been more controlled.
“We tried to control it as much as we could. We knew we didn’t have to score another goal but it was more important to keep them out and yeah, I think the lads worked incredibly hard up top to secure that and try to make us defensively solid still and yes, you know a wee bit more control of the ball and try to tire them out a little.
“I thought we were defensively solid until [Wolves scored]. Then we make a mistake and get punished for it. That’s what that league does. But it’s so important to come back quickly because then they’d go into a lower block and try to hit us quickly on the counter-attack. So important to bounce back quickly. I think we controlled it pretty well after that.”
