Arsene Wenger Blames FIFA for Too Many International Matches

Arsene Wenger is another coach who doesn’t agree with FIFA’s policy when it comes to international football competition. The Euro 2008 qualifiers got under way this weekend, but none of the matches impressed the French coach. More, he told "The Sun" that he felt bored when seeing some of it, since few surprises arose.

"Eighty per cent of qualifying matches this weekend were without interest and that’s being quite optimistic. We are going to destroy the interest of the spectator long-term", warned Arsenal’s technician. But he didn’t stop here. He pointed out to FIFA when it came down to responsibility.

"The basic problem is the congestion of international matches. In each Euro qualifying group, there are seven or eight teams resulting from the break-up of the Soviet Union and former eastern block countries and also from the integration of small states like Andorra and Liechtenstein. That makes a dozen matches between September 2006 and November 2007. The result is a collapse in quality. Having so many games flatters the national pride of countries, who all have a vote with FIFA", added Wenger.

Once more, another international technician blames FIFA and the national football federations for not caring about the clubs. Many situations have seen players not being able to play for their clubs – who are paying them big money for that – because of too many international qualifiers. Injuries and fatigue are the biggest problems most of them have to face throughout a football season.

"What ranks a player now is how he performs for his club. Arsenal, Real Madrid or AC Milan are not going to accept for ever paying players a fortune without being able to use them on account of national teams. FIFA aims to reduce club competitions but the club budgets cannot bear a reduction in the number of games", concluded Wenger.

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