UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has told Pep Guardiola to stop complaining about fixture congestion.
Guardiola is a regular critic of the workload his Manchester City players have to deal with, due to the demands that come with competing in four competitions every season, plus the five international breaks per year of two or three fixtures a time.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is another manager who regularly bemoans how many games his side have to play, and other issues like the scheduling of fixtures for broadcast reasons. Now, UEFA president Ceferin has hit back at the pair saying they have no right to complain.
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Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, via the Mirror, Ceferin said: "It's easy always to attack FIFA and UEFA, but the thing is simple. If you play less, you get less money.
"Who should complain are the factory workers who get €1,000 per month. Everyone wants more cup games, but nobody gives up on anything. Clubs wanted 10 games in the Champions League group stage. They’ll have eight, it’s the right number.
"Domestic leagues should have 18 clubs, but the presidents do not agree. They should understand that two domestic cups are too many.”
Some City players could play more than 100 games next season if they reach the final of every competition and then reach the World Cup semi-finals in December with their country.
In 2024, the Champions League will be revamped with a new group stage and more games than the current format of six fixtures. But Ceferin defended UEFA's decision to shake things up, saying: “Today, you can already predict who will play in the Round of 16 after the draw. In the future, big clubs will meet more frequently, smaller clubs will have more chances to qualify and the group will be fought until the end. It will be spectacular."
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