Managers And Players To Discuss Welfare Fixture Congestion

The Premier League is to hold two meetings on Thursday afternoon to discuss player welfare and fixture congestion.
One meeting will take place with all Premier League managers and the other one is with captains and senior players.

Managers and players are concerned about the number of games they have to play in quick succession during the Christmas holiday period because of the demands it is putting on squads which have been reduced in size as a result of Covid-19.

They feel they are being put in an impossible position by being asked to play three games between Boxing Day and January 2. Premier League rules say teams have to fulfill fixtures if they have 14 fit players.

Liverpool were one of the clubs who spoke in favour of postponing one round of fixtures at the Premier League shareholders’ meeting on Monday but their call was not backed by the majority of clubs.

Players are unhappy that they have not been consulted more during the latest spike in Covid cases. They feel they should have more of a say about the demands which are being placed on them going forward.

Many managers also want the Premier League to allow them to make five substitutions during games. IFAB gave leagues the option of allowing five substitutes but Premier League clubs decided to stick with three.