Football sold its soul - Arsene Wenger

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

Just the EPL, Arsene. Most leagues have had a winter break over christmas/new year and some haven't even resumed for 2012.

Wenger: Football sold its soul
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said football had sold its soul to television companies as he hit out at the Premier League over unfair fixture scheduling.

All five of the London club's January matches have been moved to accommodate television coverage.
"We have sold our soul and we do not control our fixtures any more," Wenger said.
"It is the truth. It is not normal that you can have a direct influence on the schedule through television."
Arsenal's first two games of 2012, a 2-1 league defeat at Fulham and a 1-0 FA Cup third-round victory over Leeds United, were screened on Monday evenings.
Forthcoming league games against Swansea City and Manchester United will be played on a Sunday and the FA Cup tie with Aston Villa has been put back from Saturday Jan. 28 to Sunday Jan. 29.
The fourth-round clash with Villa will be televised on ESPN, causing Arsenal's league fixture with Bolton Wanderers the following Tuesday to be shifted to Wednesday.
"I believe the Premier League has to make sure there is a bit more fairness in the schedules," said Wenger.
"The Premier League has to decide what is fair and not fair. At the moment it is television that decides because the contracts are done in a way that is not right for the fairness of the competition.
"You cannot have decisive games with one team playing on Friday and then again on Tuesday and another team on Sunday and then Tuesday," the Frenchman added.
"That does not work. You can try and convince me that it is right but I can tell you from working in football for 30 years, it is not right because it is not fair."

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[CC_Eagle]

Can't argue with him really.

A winter break would be a great idea imo. For starters, it'd prevent a lot of player burnout leading to injuries.

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

It's stupid how they cram so many fixtures in to a short space of time during december/january.

Big money though I guess that is all that matters to some.

 

[Tom Shines]

So you either play two games a week over Christmas/New Year, or have a winter break and then play two games a week between February and May?

How does a winter break ease fixture congestion when the same fixtures have to be played? f**king off useless international friendlies in Septemer/October would be a good start.

 

[Mong]

As a fan i find that the schedule is awesome over a period where, like myself, many folk have a bunch of time off and plenty of time to watch plenty of games.

Stop whinging and entertain the fans. No break required.

 

[the_flight_of_the_magpie]

Arsne Venger always finds an excuse when his team loses

 

[WireMan]

Sold our soul eh?
When did this happen then?

I didn't realise playing over Christmas is a new thing in English football. :roll:


Or the fixtures he mentions which is one a weekend.

He should worry about his team more.

 

[Big Sam]

Controversial proposal but the easiest way to play less matches and thus create room for a winter break, would be to get rid of FA Cup replays.

 

[WireMan]

Controversial proposal but the easiest way to play less matches and thus create room for a winter break, would be to get rid of FA Cup replays.

Prefer Toms idea of getting rid of pointless international friendlies.

But yeah get rid of replays, and the two legged semi for the league cup. I'd be all for that.

 

[the_flight_of_the_magpie]

Arsene Wenger cant really say anything about English football because if i remember correctly it was he who fielded a team completely of forreign players in it