Robertson echoes Alisson’s concern over player welfare

Andy Robertson, like many other stars in football, has joined in to criticised the congested fixture schedule players are being subjected to, as a result of expanded tournaments. The new Champions League format kicked off in September, which could see certain clubs playing an extra four matches, whereas the newly-revised Club World Cup will cause additional fixtures for some at the end of the season. 

Ahead of the Champions League clash against Bologna on Tuesday, Robertson spoke on the matter, just a month after team mate Alisson admitted that “everybody is tired” of having to play more games. "I don’t think the players are ever asked, that’s where our frustrations lie," revealed the left-back. “We all love playing football. We love playing games. That’s what we work so hard towards, but extra games get added, extra tournaments get added and I just don’t think players get asked what their opinion of it is and how we feel about it. It doesn’t seem we have much of a say in it".

"We just get put out there. We always want to put on a show for the fans. We always want people to get value for money. We know how important fans are to football but when lads are getting overworked or whatever, sometimes you can’t do that, " he said, as he spoke to 'The Athletic'. 

That said, the Liverpool star admitted that despite feeling overworker,  players will not refuse to play matches, as in the heat of the moment the circumstances do not come to mind. “We’ll keep doing it, we’ve got no real option. We’ll let other people discuss it and try to help us out," he said. "When games are put in front of us, when you are in the changing room you don’t think about it. You get excited by it. You just go out and play your heart out and that’s all we can do. But, in the future, I think it would be best to get the players together and ask their opinion as well". 

Roberston indicates that organisers should rely on the experienced figures in football for advice on the football calander. “There are a lot of experienced professionals, captains, who can have a say on these things. They are never asked. It’s always wise to ask the people who can feel it, week-to-week instead of people sitting in offices.”

 

September 30, 2024