Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has voiced strong concerns over a proposed fixture congestion that could force his team to play four matches in just 10 days ahead of Christmas, labeling the scenario "irresponsible" for players. The club, currently navigating the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, faces a tight schedule that includes a league clash against Manchester City on December 14, a Conference League game against KuPS on December 18, and a potential showdown with Arsenal on December 16, creating a three-match window in five days.
Glasner emphasized the need for prioritizing player health, stating, "It’s dangerous to ask players to compete on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. This is about their welfare, not just the club’s interests." He highlighted that the Premier League, EFL, and UEFA should have coordinated schedules months in advance, referencing a July meeting in New York where FIFA urged a minimum 72-hour gap between competitive games. "Why isn’t this being followed? It’s baffling," he added.
The manager proposed moving the Carabao Cup tie against Arsenal to December 23, which would allow adjustments to the Conference League match and avoid overlapping with a league game against Leeds on December 21. "If they don’t address this, it’s a failure of planning," Glasner said. He also criticized the lack of communication between governing bodies, noting that the current setup could lead to "injured players" and long-term consequences for the squad.
While Palace hopes to reschedule the Arsenal game, Sky Sports News reports that the Gunners prefer the December 16 date. Glasner stressed the importance of collaboration, urging FIFA, UEFA, the Premier League, and EFL to "talk together" to prevent such conflicts. "The fans want to see the best players on the pitch. Our responsibility is to protect them, not just manage the club’s interests," he concluded.
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