Wiegman on potentially disrupted World Cup preparations: ‘Want to start June 19’
NOS Football–
Wiegman on potentially disrupted World Cup preparations: ‘Want to start June 19’
“We want to start June 19 with our World Cup preparation. That’s the plan and I really hope we come out of that together, because it’s very disadvantageous for players if we can’t run that program.”
Sarina Wiegman, national coach of European champion England, is also getting involved in the discussion about the crowded 2024 playing calendar in women’s soccer, which has led to a row between the major clubs and FIFA.
Elaboration on World Cup
This also has an effect on the upcoming World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. In protest, the 42 clubs united in the European Club Association are threatening to hand over their players to the national teams not on June 19, but on June 23.
Jonker: ‘Clubs want to hand over players four days later, that breaks preparation’
Jonker now gets support from Wiegman. “We are indeed in a difficult situation. The programs made have been discussed with all players and captains. We are all behind that.”
The English involve a larger group than the Netherlands, but Wiegman avoids the question of blame. “I’m not angry with the clubs, but disappointed that we ended up in this situation. That’s not nice.”
Engaging in conversation
“The FIFA calendar is not helping and we have to have a conversation about that. We can’t resolve the dispute now, that’s a fact. Then it’s a matter of making the best possible program towards the World Cup.”
To add somewhat disappointed, “You cannot say six, seven weeks in advance: the players are not available. While all the plans are already ready and also communicated…”
