The feud has been going on for years, has strained relationships, and won’t be ending anytime soon.
Club managers have become critical about how countries manage the physical condition of their players during the international break. When players are released for national duties, it’s the responsibility of the national teams to manage these players.
But clubs argue have the right to decide who they release and when–depending on the fitness of the player. After all, they pay players’ wages. But countries FA often disagree with that conclusion.
National team managers have repeatedly reminded clubs that participating on a national team is a sacrosanct assignment. Yet, club managers often criticise the manner in which their national counterparts handle players while they’re on national duties.
Courtesy: Independent.co.uk
–Jose Mourinho questioned Roberto Martinez’s decision to play Marouane Fellaini against Greece when Fellaini had a calf injury. That injury kept Fellaini from playing against Stoke City.
–Pep Guardiola had a similar experience. Despite taking a knock on the knee during a game, Man City defender Vincent Kompany played the entire 90 minutes for Belgium in a 9-0 win against Gibraltar. That injury kept Kompany from playing in City’s 5-0 win against Liverpool.
–Jurgen Klopp couldn’t hide his frustration when England’s manager, Gareth Southgate, played an injured Jordan Henderson against Slovakia.
Clearly, club managers don’t want to be shorthanded when the international break is over. National team managers need to protect players and avoid taking risks. But one aspect of the debate often gets lost: it’s the medical team’s responsibility to decide who is fit to play.
Another thing is clear, too. It’s the FIFA rule, which states: “A club holding the registration of a player called up for national assignment must release him to the national association on the fixed/set dates for international games in each calendar year. And the player shall also be released for the period of the preparation.” Furthermore, “the club with which the player concerned is registered shall be responsible for insurance against illness and accident during the entire period of his release.”
Although clubs have complained that these FIFA rules are excessively harsh, those rules are important for maintaining the viability of international football.
Playing is a call to national duty and represents service to the nation.
But I don’t think it’s fair for the clubs to bear the burden when players are injured while on national assignment. I think that explains, at least in part, why club managers are so concerned about the ongoing need for players to remain fit.
No matter what, though, the feud has been going on for years, has strained the relationship between both the parties, and won’t be ending anytime soon. I think the Football Governing Body should revisit the rules and get things straightened out.
As we do, let’s remember that players play for a living. We ought not jeopardize their careers.
