Frankie de Jong slams packed timetable in advance of the Nations League semi-finals… with the Dutch midfielder boasting UEFA just desires to ‘earn far more money’
De Jong will aspect for the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League semi-finalsThe Barcelona star criticised additional matches remaining additional to the calendarDe Jong highlighted UEFA’s acceptance of an expanded Champions League format
Frankie de Jong has hit out at UEFA above the needs remaining positioned on players by the packed routine, ahead of the Netherlands approaching UEFA Nations League matches.
De Jong is anticipated to element when Ronald Koeman’s Dutch side confront Croatia in the Nations League semi-finals on Wednesday in Rotterdam.
Spain and Italy meet in the 2nd semi-final, with a final and 3rd put play-off becoming held on Sunday.
The summary of the third version of the UEFA Nations League comes at the conclude of a gruelling marketing campaign, which bundled the mid-season FIFA Entire world Cup in Qatar.
De Jong has criticised the increasingly busy calendar, with the Barcelona midfielder pointing to UEFA’s approval of a new Champions League structure from 2024/25.
Frankie de Jong will function for the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals
The Barcelona midfielder has criticised UEFA more than the amplified requires positioned on gamers
The 36-team Champions League would require a team actively playing up to 17 matches from the league stage as a result of to the closing – four much more than the present 13.
‘Our timetable is just having fuller,’ De Jong explained, as documented by De Telegraaf.
‘There is also a sport for 3rd or fourth area in the Nations League, practically no one is ready for this.
‘There will be a new format for the Champions League with extra games just so that UEFA can receive extra revenue.’
De Jong has played 48 matches in the course of the period for club and place forward of the upcoming internationals.
The midfielder is not the to start with to have criticised the Nations League, with Guy Metropolis star Kevin De Bruyne very last 12 months labelling the level of competition as ‘unimportant’.
The Belgian experienced declared that gamers require a longer crack during the off-season.
Male City manager Pep Guardiola had also lifted concerns over the calls for of the timetable in the aftermath of winning the Champions League on Saturday.
Guy Town star Kevin De Bruyne very last yr labelled the UEFA Nations League as ‘unimportant’
Pep Guardiola criticised the gruelling calendar immediately after Gentleman City’s Champions League triumph
‘We require a split, it truly is too extensive,’ Guardiola mentioned. ‘Our gamers have international games now. UEFA and FIFA, consider about it.
‘The Leading League finished two or a few months in the past, now people have to come back. It really is as well considerably.’
Qualifiers for Euro 2024 will also be held for the duration of the approaching intercontinental window, although groups playing in the Nations League will not be included.
A report by entire world players’ union FIFPRO has projected that alterations to the two competitions from the 2024-25 year could direct to an 11 per cent maximize in the number of matches best players are associated in.
The improve will come amid the revamped Champions League and a new 32-team Club Environment Cup, due to be played every 4 decades from the summer time of 2025 onwards.