Gulf Today

Congested match fixture reaching tipping point: EPL boss

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LONDON: Premier League chief executive Richard Masters believes the congested fixture schedule may have reached a tipping point due to the steady increase of regional and internatio­nal games on the calendar.

FIFA expanded the World Cup and introduced a new 32-team version of the Club World Cup that will debut in the U.S. in 2025, while UEFA’S expanded Champions League adds more games to an already-congested calendar.

“It is getting to a tipping point,” Masters said on Friday at the European Leagues General Assembly. “The feedback we have from players is that there is too much football being played and there is constant expansion.

“The Premier League hasn’t changed shape. What has changed over the last few decades is the march of internatio­nal and regional football competitio­ns,” he added.

“We are proud to be different in England. We still have two-cup competitio­ns. We still believe it is for us to determine how big our league is.

“But if you pour more liquid into a cup that is already full, it will overflow. That is what is happening at the moment, not just in terms of the calendar but in terms of the players’ ability to be able to perform at their best... It stands to reason if you overload the calendar and the players, at some point, something has to give.”

The Football Associatio­n, in partnershi­p with the Premier League, recently scrapped FA Cup replays starting next season in a bid to reduce the workload. However, it has been criticised from clubs lower down in the English league pyramid.

The move comes as part of an agreement between the FA and the Premier League that will see up to an extra £33 million ($41 million) go to the grassroots game from the top flight each season.

The Premier League will be contributi­ng more money to a stadium fund, which can be accessed by clubs from the lower leagues for infrastruc­ture improvemen­ts.

Masters also defended league officials amid Nottingham Forest’s strong comments after their loss last weekend to Everton. Forest accused VAR Stuart Attwell of being a Luton Town fan. The league and the FA are investigat­ing the statement.

“There is an allowance for fair comments but we are disappoint­ed when statements are made implicatin­g refs for why they have made decisions,” Masters said.

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