http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32877649 Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has criticised Fifa for not considering the health of players in setting their international summer schedule. The Gunners' season ends with Saturday's FA Cup final, before Colombia keeper David Ospina and Chile forward Alexis Sanchez depart for the Copa America, which begins on 11 June. After the World Cup last year, Wenger says the tournament is "too much". "I am really surprised Fifa authorised that," said the Frenchman. "I'll watch [the Copa America], but with a little bit of fear. "Sanchez has played 50 games for us and goes there again, having already played in the World Cup last summer." As well losing two players to the Copa America, which runs until 4 July, Wenger says several of his European internationals will join up with their respective national teams after playing Aston Villa at Wembley to take part in pre-season friendlies until 14 June. The 2015-16 Premier League season also starts earlier than usual, with the first games taking place on 8 August, It is a move Wenger says is "the wrong decision" and the Gunners boss is concerned his players will not have enough time recuperate before pre-season starts. He added: "It is disappointing that Fifa speak a lot about the health of the players, but when you look at the competition that is organised, this Copa America, and look at the date of the start of the Premier League, it is not reasonable." I'm with Wenger on this one, when are the players going to get a rest? Worrying to see Samchez get no rest and walk straight into another tournament. Also the rest of our players will continue to play useless, boring friendlies. Hope we don't sustain any injuries after a long season.
Agree its idiotic, the best we can see imo is another slow start with players like Sanchez (and maybe vidal!). Even worse there seems to be a real push to get up and coming English/British stars to play in u21 tournaments after a long season, yet everytime this happens theyll end up getting injured or picking up niggles which stall their development (walcott, oxo ect). madness
So if the EPL starts on August 8th, assuming we win the cup, it means our season starts on August 1st with the Community Shield, what the ****.
Yeah its screwed up isn't it. Call me cynical, but this comes across as FIFA being more interested in making an extra buck than think of the players.
Awwwwwwwwe I feel so sorry for these players that they don't get a few months off while earning millions and millions, surely its against human rights to over work people this much. FFS they don't know what reality is
Well he'll have a run up of 3 years worth of ****ed up schedules to help him get used to it as the European footballing calender acclimatises with the Qatar WC
They could have at least not made the Copa America, make it next summer, like the Euro's, give some of these players a break instead of another major summer tournament. And then the FA just decide to be dumb by also moving the league a week forward, giving a week's less rest when there are all these stupid internationals happening until June 14th for the European players.
Been concerned about this Copa America for a while because Alexis is expected to deliver big time for Chile this year seeing as Chile are the hosts so there is going to be big pressure on him, when ideally we want him rested up all summer ready for next season. Ospina can **** off, though.
Plus Sanchez isn't a player who will back down, he gives so much in a game that by the start of next season, he will still be recovering. Adding to all these dumb international friendly, will only compound the problem. Thankfully we have a decent squad now so hopefully we can cover these bases. Main issue is cover for Coqs.
