Tottenham captain Heung-Min Son has criticised the elevated workload on gamers and has urged the soccer authorities to take the problem “really seriously” amid hypothesis gamers may take strike motion.
Son has develop into the newest participant – together with Man Metropolis duo Rodri and Manuel Akanji, and Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker – to voice concern over the extra workload dealing with elite professionals.
Rodri, who suffered a knee ligament damage in Sunday’s 2-2 draw in opposition to Arsenal, even prompt final week gamers may strike over rising fixture congestion.
Talking forward of Spurs’ opening Europa League recreation in opposition to Qarabag on Thursday, Son mentioned: “A lot of players came out and said the right things and I think it was very important that someone actually came out to say the right things.
“Gamers are the principle guys to must say one thing and it is undoubtedly quite a lot of video games. As a soccer fan you wish to see a top quality recreation, not as many video games as doable, and you do not wish to see folks or gamers scuffling with accidents, which no person desires to see.
“It is undoubtedly quite a lot of video games, quite a lot of travelling [so] we now have to take care of ourselves which is usually very laborious, and generally mentally and bodily you are not prepared and if you’re going onto the pitch then the danger of damage is huge.
Son spoke out in opposition to the rising workload on gamers forward of the sport in opposition to Qarabag
“We are not robots, so I think we just definitely have to look after that and definitely reduce the games and can play a better quality of game. I think this should be the aim.”
He added: “I think it’s a lot of work and the programme is adding even more games. For example, City played on Sunday [against Arsenal] and Tuesday [against Watford]. This was not even flexible, so it could probably move for the guys to Wednesday instead of Tuesday, but it’s not flexible.
“I feel that is what we’re speaking about and that is regular that everyone will get an damage and a excessive threat of damage. I feel it isn’t truthful.
“Also, I think Rodri says the right things that we play maybe 50 or 60 games and not more than 70 games – I think this is not fair.”
Son: UEFA, FA and FIFA must take subject actually severely
Son desires the variety of video games to be lowered by the soccer authorities
Requested whether or not he can be in favour of occurring strike, the South Korea captain replied: “No, you want to go to the final and play a lot of games. That’s a different scenario, but what I want to say is that the platform, for example, the Champions League changed to play even more games and I think this is not right to look after players.
“What we are able to do is that we undoubtedly can change it and we are able to undoubtedly go in a great way that folks can take care of the gamers.”
Questioned over whose responsibility it is to strike, the 32-year-old responded: “It is undoubtedly not the gamers.
“When the fixtures come the players have to be on the pitch. There’s a lot going on. UEFA, the FA and FIFA, everybody has to take this really seriously. It’s not just random, like only a few players come out saying it’s way too many games.
“What we wish to see is high-quality video games and prime video games with prime gamers, so I feel this must be the goal.
“Obviously injuries also sometimes come with less games, but with the possibility of a lot of travelling, a lot of games then it will be higher than when you play less games.”
Ange: We’re attending to harmful ranges over participant workload
Spurs start their Europa League marketing campaign on Thursday at residence to Qarabag and the preliminary section of the competitors has been prolonged to eight video games as an alternative of six, which can be the identical for the Champions League.
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou mentioned of participant welfare: “They could take issues into their very own fingers. They’re those most affected to be trustworthy, so you’d perceive in the event that they began to suppose as a collective, how a lot are we going to have to repeatedly not have a say in?
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Highlights from Tottenham’s match in opposition to Brentford within the Premier League
“I have spoken already about the fact we’re getting to a real dangerous level about what our expectations are around players. Instead of focusing on one or two tournaments, it’s about the calendar. That is more of an issue.
“Gamers do not get a break between seasons any extra like they used to. There are extra tournaments each at membership stage, worldwide stage and continental stage.
“So, it’s going to get to a point where we are not going to have the best players out there playing and, even worse, them breaking down for various reasons. It’s definitely something that needs to be addressed.”
‘I like Rodrigo’ – Son has no drawback with Bentancur over alleged comment
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Son defends Rodrigo Bentancur following his FA cost for allegedly making offensive feedback about his team-mate
Son additionally expressed his “love” for team-mate Rodrigo Bentancur, regardless of the Uruguay midfielder making an alleged racist comment in regards to the South Korean over the summer time.
The previous Juventus man was charged final Thursday with an alleged misconduct breach by the Soccer Affiliation in relation to a media interview.
Within the clip, which emerged in June, the host of a Canal 10 present requested Bentancur to indicate the shirt of a Spurs participant, with the 27-year-old allegedly replying: “Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin too as they all look the same.”
Whereas an apology from Bentancur was swiftly forthcoming, as a consequence of this being an “aggravated breach”, if an unbiased regulatory fee panel upholds the FA cost, he may very well be suspended for six to 12 home matches, the PA information company understands.
Son mentioned: “At the moment, because of the FA process, I can’t say much about it. But I love Rodrigo, I love him. We’ve a lot of good memories, we started playing together when he joined [in January 2022].
“He knew. He apologised straight afterwards after we had vacation. I used to be at residence. I did not even realise what was occurring. He despatched me an extended message and you might really feel it was coming from his coronary heart.
“When we came back for pre-season, he felt really sorry and he almost cried when he apologised publicly and personally as well. He felt like he was really sorry. We are all human and all make mistakes and we learn from it.
“I like Rodrigo. I like him, I like him. He is aware of he made a mistake however I’ve no drawback in any respect with him. We transfer on as a team-mate and good friend and as a brother. We transfer on collectively.”
