Eric Dier hits out at FA and Premier League over fixture scheduling
As reported by the Daily Mail, Tottenham Hotspur star Eric Dier has joined the growing list of players and managers to criticise the fixture scheduling for the 2020/21 campaign.
A number of Premier League managers, as well as players, have voiced their concerns over the jam-packed schedule for the shortened season. The pile-up of games has resulted in several players getting injured just a few weeks into the campaign.
Dier, who saw his England teammate and Liverpool defender Joe Gomez succumb to an injury earlier in the week, has now raised his voice against the way the games have been scheduled in order to fit all internationals, European matches and domestic football into nine months before the Euros next summer. (h/t Daily Mail)
“I’ve watched a team-mate of mine [Gomez] three days ago injure himself, by himself, in training. Something needs to be done around the scheduling. It’s really not nice to be seeing people getting injured. Almost weekly you are seeing multiple injuries in the Premier League.”
Dier, then went on to elaborate on his own ordeals, having had to play a Europa League game away in Bulgaria on Thursday before travelling to West Brom on a Sunday. The England international then touched upon how the Portuguese FA was taking measures to help teams playing in Europe. (h/t Daily Mail)
“Every time they are in the Europa League, they play Monday night. The Portuguese federation is looking after those teams playing in Europe. If you look across every league, they look after them. I don’t understand why in England we don’t.”
More Tottenham Hotspur News
- Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho banned by UEFA for one game
- Gareth Southgate backs Tottenham Hotspur star Harry Kane to become England’s leading scorer
- Tottenham Hotspur star Erik Lamela posts an update on his injury
Dier’s concern is a genuine one. Given the packed schedule, there is a higher risk of players succumbing to injury and something needs to be done in order to reduce the burden on the footballers.
