Arteta: Fixture Congestion Could Cause English Sides to Exit Future Competitions

[Webster]

(The Guardian) Arteta: clubs could pull out of cups amid fixture congestion
Mikel Arteta has warned that clubs could consider pulling out of competitions if fixture congestion is not resolved.

The EFL has yet to confirm when Arsenal’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace will take place, with 16 December having been earmarked. A game then would leave Palace facing three fixtures in five days, and talks are understood to be ongoing over when the game will be scheduled.

“Every decision that we make in terms of a fixture has to be guided on two main things: player welfare and then supporters,” Arteta said. “That’s it. And the rest has to come very, very far away from that.”

Asked whether big clubs could decide to prioritise some competitions if the problem gets worse, the Arsenal manager said: “I hope we don’t go [that far]. If we have that big piece of paper with those two principles there in front before we make any decision, all of us in our industry, we won’t get there. If we don’t and we just ignore that, then anything is possible.”

 

[gwolf666]

Arteta's warning about the possibility of clubs withdrawing from some competitions if the fixture congestion continues seems very sensible and necessary to me. The number of matches in such a short period not only affects the quality of play but also the health of the players, who are increasingly vulnerable to injury and exhaustion. As a fan, I understand the passion for winning every title, but I also believe that the priority should always be the well-being of the players and the experience of the supporters. The idea that clubs might prioritize certain tournaments if there isn't an effective solution worries me because it would ultimately undermine the competitiveness and integrity of the competitions. It is crucial that the authorities find a balance and better plan the calendar because otherwise, the quality of football and the health of the players will be at risk, and that benefits no one.