Courtois did not put a napkin in front of his mouth: When will we have a break? It’s just about their pockets! – Športky.sk

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Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois Source: SITA / AP / Manu Fernandez

MADRID – Belgian football goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois sharply criticized the international federations FIFA and UEFA for constantly expanding the calendar at the expense of players and their health. The star of Real Madrid complained about an increasing number of matches after Sunday’s loss of the national team 1: 2 to Italy in the match for third place in the League of Nations. According to him, the match, in which both teams deployed significantly modified teams, was played only because of the money.

“We’re not robots. It’s just more and more matches and less rest for us, and nobody cares. When will we take a break? Never,” Courtois said, referring to a crowded calendar that had become even more dense over the past year and a half due to a pandemic break.

In the Champions League and some other competitions, the same number of matches had to be played in a shorter time. The summer break was then shortened by the continental championships in Europe and South America, and the program will not be freer next year. The Qatar World Championships are scheduled for November and December, in the middle of the club season. Already in June 2023, the final of the League of Nations is on the agenda.

Thibaut Courtois
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Source: SITA / AP – Manu Fernandez

In addition, FIFA would like to expand the World Club Championships and is considering shortening the world championship cycle to two years. “Next year the World Cup will be in November, then we will have to play again until the end of June. We will just get injured,” Courtois is angry that there is no time at all for regeneration.

They just care about their pockets

Although UEFA opposed the World Cup plan after two years and rejected the creation of the Superliga, which was sought by elite clubs, according to Courtois, even European officials do not care about the well-being of the players. “They’re against the Superliga, but they’re doing the same thing – they’re just adding more matches. They’ve created another cup (the European Conference League). It’s exactly the same.” declared. “Although they are angry when they want Superliga clubs, they don’t care about the players. They just care about their pockets.” he added.

  • The author: © List
  • Source: ČTK