UEFA president Ceferin blasts Klopp and Guardiola over calendar
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has hit back at Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola for complaining about the football calender.
The four Nations League fixtures that took place in June were widely condemned by players, pundits and managers. This included Klopp who in May was heavily critical of Ceferin and said: “The Nations League is one of the most ridiculous ideas in the world of football.
“Players have played over 70 games and we continue with Nations League games [after the season has ended]. Four, five, six games with the national teams. I would prefer UEFA take more money from the Champions League finals and get rid of the Nations League.”
READ ALSO:Transfer window: Barcelona coach Xavi reluctant to sell Ez Abde as Villarreal bid arrives
Despite what many believe are fair complaints, Ceferin had no sympathy for Klopp or Guardiola.
“It’s easy always to attack FIFA and UEFA, but the thing is simple,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “If you play less, you get less money. Who should complain are the factory workers who get €1,000 per month.
“Everyone wants more cup games, but nobody gives up on anything. Clubs wanted 10 games in the Champions League group stage. They’ll have eight, it’s the right number. Domestic leagues should have 18 clubs, but the presidents do not agree. They should understand that two domestic cups are too many.”