EPL

Premier League rejects Man City request to delay 2025-26 season start

By Sports Desk October 05, 2024

The Premier League has rejected a request from Manchester City to delay the start to their 2025-26 campaign to allow for more recovery time after the Club World Cup.

As 2022-23 Champions League winners, City are one of two English clubs – alongside Chelsea – to have secured a spot at FIFA's first 32-team Club World Cup, which will be held in the United States next year.

The tournament's expanded format has proven extremely controversial, provoking widespread criticism for denying players rest time during the off-season.

Players' union Fifpro has started legal proceedings against FIFA over the scheduling of the tournament, claiming the fixture schedule has become "unworkable".

The Club World Cup is set to run from June 15 to July 13, with players involved unlikely to receive substantial rest time before the domestic season begins in early August.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Fulham, boss Pep Guardiola revealed City had already seen a request to delay their opening game knocked back.

"The Premier League has not allowed us to postpone the first two games for our recovery," Guardiola said. "Thank you so much.

"I think the club asked the league to postpone one or two or three weeks so we can have a holiday after the [Club] World Cup but it is absolutely not allowed. 

"Would the Premier League say yes to us? No. Absolutely not. They won't postpone these games so there will be a moment of, 'what do we do?

"I don't have an answer right now but we are going to take a decision with common sense."

Related items

  • Luis Enrique defends decision to drop Dembele Luis Enrique defends decision to drop Dembele

    Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique does not regret dropping Ousmane Dembele for disciplinary reasons for their midweek Champions League defeat to Arsenal.

    Dembele has stepped up to lead PSG's attack this season after Kylian Mbappe left for Real Madrid, scoring seven goals and adding four assists in all competitions.

    However, the France international was left out of Luis Enrique's squad for Tuesday's 2-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium, where they only managed two shots on target in a flat attacking display.

    It was reported that Dembele's omission was the result of a dispute with Luis Enrique, who stands by his decision to leave him out.

    "When a player doesn't meet their obligations, this is the sort of thing that can happen. Everything is now in order," Luis Enrique said ahead of Sunday's trip to Nice.

    "I'm tough when I have to be tough and more permissive when it is needed. That is one of my big skills as a coach and as a person... 

    "Every player has a series of obligations to meet, so every player who does that is available.

    "If they make a serious mistake, I will make the right decision, whether it is easy or difficult. I have no issue in doing that even if it seems difficult because we always think about what is best for the team."

    Ligue 1 leaders PSG are unbeaten with 16 points, ahead of Monaco on goal difference.

    "We're doing well. After analysing the game [against Arsenal], we've changed our mentality and we're back in league action, ready to compete. That is a good thing because if you lose, there is a game straight after," Luis Enrique said.

    "We are imperfect, we will improve but I am certain that this team will fight in all competitions. If we replay this match against Arsenal, at home at the Parc des Princes, perhaps the result will not be the same."

    Nice are ninth under new coach Franck Haise and Luis Enrique believes his side face a daunting task in breaking down a defence that has only been breached six times. 

    "They have a well-known coach with a personality that he instils in his teams... They play at a high level, so it will be difficult. They press high up the pitch and are strong on the ball," he said.

    "They defend well and it will certainly be tough. It has always been a difficult place to go but we are motivated to continue doing what we are doing to stay top of the table."

  • Kompany relishing 'special game' when Bayern travel to Frankfurt Kompany relishing 'special game' when Bayern travel to Frankfurt

    Vincent Kompany is relishing a "special game" when Bayern Munich face Eintracht Frankfurt in a battle of the Bundesliga's top two teams on Sunday.

    Bayern top the table with 13 points after their first five games, with Eintracht just a point behind after recovering from losing their opener with four straight wins.

    However, Kompany's side travel to Deutsche Bank Park seeking a response after two winless games.

    After their perfect start to the Bundesliga campaign was ended by a 1-1 draw with reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen, they went down 1-0 to Aston Villa in the Champions League on Wednesday.

    Nevertheless, Kompany is only looking forward.

    "It is a special game in Frankfurt against a very tough team," he told reporters during his pre-match press conference. "They have a lot of young players with a lot of talent, so the team can grow.

    "For us, it is a normal game. We have to get our points and keep going in the Bundesliga. I am only focused on the next game.

    "It is always important after every game, win or lose, to say the game is now behind us and now comes the next game. We have a lot to take into our next game and that should be the reason for our success."

    Once again, Bayern will be without Jamal Musiala, who remains sidelined with a hip injury, and Kompany hopes to have the Germany attacking midfielder available as soon as possible.

    "We know how good and how important Jamal is for the club and Germany," the Bayern head coach added. "He is a young player and our total priority is to get him back fit and stay fit."

  • Eidevall slams 'amateurish' WSL after Arsenal fixture congestion Eidevall slams 'amateurish' WSL after Arsenal fixture congestion

    Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall slammed the "amateurish behaviour" of the Women's Super League, who he feels are damaging English teams' chances of success in European competition.

    The Gunners are one of three English teams competing in the Women's Champions League group stages this season, along with Manchester City and Chelsea.

    All three are due to commence their campaigns in midweek, but while Arsenal and City are in WSL action on Sunday, Chelsea's scheduled clash with Manchester United was postponed due to player welfare concerns.

    Eidevall's side, who face Bayern Munich on Wednesday, then take on the Blues three days later, and the head coach feels his side are at a "sporting disadvantage" with their fixture congestion.

    "It's not a good situation," he told reporters during his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's clash with Everton. "There are 16 teams involved in the Champions League, how many teams are playing on Sunday, October 6?

    "We are, that is one. If it was only us, it would be an Arsenal problem - but it's also Man City. The only two teams that are playing are English teams. The only other team scheduled to play was Chelsea.

    "[It's the] first time that three [English] teams reach the group stage. [It] should be celebrated, but it's now a problem. It's very important for the whole league that we are successful in Europe.

    "Now, obviously, it's worse for us because of the amateurish behaviour of no plan and taking away the game like Chelsea.

    "It puts us into play on Sunday, then Wednesday away at Bayern Munich, who don't play Sunday, then we return to play Chelsea on Saturday (October 12).

    "[That is] less preparation than our opponents. We have been handed a sporting disadvantage in two huge games for us."

    Nevertheless, Eidevall insists his players will tackle the busy period head on, rather than feel sorry for themselves.

    "We won't lie down and give up because the situation is tough," he said. "We will dig deeper than we ever have before, but what needs to change is the approach to Champions League football and respect to the supporters.

    "It's not good enough to blame UEFA, the only one who hasn't acted on the information is the WSL."

© 2024 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.