Solution to the international fixtures problem

[growler]

Rafa has been the most vocal with regards fifa paying for players during international teams, but we know that would end the careers of players essien, bellamy, drogba, toure, kewell etc. how are the international countries going to pay their wages.

 

I remember a time when playing for your country was about pride. I think we should bring that back.

 

When and if a player decides to play for his country, he doesn't get paid. he is playing for the glory and pride.

 

Problem solved.

[DazzlaJ]

So they get injured for 12 weeks and Liverpool are still paying their wages. How does that placate Rafa?

[hideNseek]

Simple, ban them.

[eskton]

Just ban international football, its crap anyway.

 

inngerlund is for people from Tamworth, Tunbridge wells and Taunton only

[growler]

if injured whilst on international duty, though s***. They don't get paid.

 

Its the risk they take when tey play for their country.

[Herbie von Smalls]

if injured whilst on international duty, though s***. They don't get paid.

 

Its the risk they take when tey play for their country.

so who's going to want to play for their country if it means risking their income?

[_00_deathscar]

so who's going to want to play for their country if it means risking their income?

 

Nobody, hence international football would cease to exist, and hence problem solved

[Herbie von Smalls]

somehow i can't see why fifa/uefa/the f.a. would want to sanction such a plan

[Andythered]

Make it an amateur sport as opposed to being run by amateurs.

[_00_deathscar]

I agree ~ much like county cricket/international cricket, but with reversed roles.

[Benitez]

all these international breaks so far this season have done my head in coupled with Sky Sports stoopid kick off times for most of our games so far, it's just been chit. The season already seems to have been going on for months. It ruins the fecin season.

 

Anyway, solutions - first of all, no way on earth should there be 7 teams, so 12 games in Euro qualifier groups. It's laughable. They need to start pre-qualifying to get some of the s*** out before the 'big' teams come in. They do it in CL and UEFA cups, they need to start doing so in International footy. So then the groups get down to 4 teams, so only 6 games.

 

And them six games can be played in just two 10 day international breaks (players go to their national teams on a monday - games on Weds, Sat, Weds, then back to the teams that pay their wages). One international break early in the season, one midway through. So the business end of the season isn't ruined by chit international football.

 

AND SCRAP FRIENDLIES ALLTOGETHER during the season

 

As for the injury problem, players should simply be payed by their countries FA's if they are out injured. There, done.

[Dule]

Fifa make plenty of money to compensate clubs, dont you worry.

[Jim D]

Make it an amateur sport as opposed to being run by amateurs.

 

 

International Football has always been amateurish compared to club football and it is vastly overrated. Most teams in the Premiership would beat England.

[Knox_Harrington]

all these international breaks so far this season have done my head in coupled with Sky Sports stoopid kick off times for most of our games so far, it's just been chit. The season already seems to have been going on for months. It ruins the fecin season.

 

Anyway, solutions - first of all, no way on earth should there be 7 teams, so 12 games in Euro qualifier groups. It's laughable. They need to start pre-qualifying to get some of the s*** out before the 'big' teams come in. They do it in CL and UEFA cups, they need to start doing so in International footy. So then the groups get down to 4 teams, so only 6 games.

 

And them six games can be played in just two 10 day international breaks (players go to their national teams on a monday - games on Weds, Sat, Weds, then back to the teams that pay their wages). One international break early in the season, one midway through. So the business end of the season isn't ruined by chit international football.

 

AND SCRAP FRIENDLIES ALLTOGETHER during the season

 

As for the injury problem, players should simply be payed by their countries FA's if they are out injured. There, done.

Agree with much of that. If nothing else it would make the qualifying process more significant and exciting. One of those three game blasts could be played at the end of the season. I'd allow an occasional friendly or two.

 

It'd also give the possibility of a mid season break between the third and fourth rounds of the FA Cup which would be fantastic for all and sundry.

[Benitez]

Agree with much of that. If nothing else it would make the qualifying process more significant and exciting. One of those three game blasts could be played at the end of the season. I'd allow an occasional friendly or two.

 

It'd also give the possibility of a mid season break between the third and fourth rounds of the FA Cup which would be fantastic for all and sundry.

 

 

yep eggsacerley. One thing I find really tedious with these internationals now, is that there are always 2 or 3 weaker teams in each group which won't be competing for qualification at the end.So it's just not exciting. With just 4 stronger teams in a group, it'd be more like CL groups, which are often very competitive and go down to the wire. It'd make it far more interesting. And having 3 games in quick succesion, would give it more of a 'league' feel, and give the games a bit of an edge.

Edited October 14, 2006 by Benitez

[Gomez]

Rafa has been the most vocal with regards fifa paying for players during international teams, but we know that would end the careers of players essien, bellamy, drogba, toure, kewell etc. how are the international countries going to pay their wages.

 

I think that is just tough. I've said the same about the African nations, if you want to take the big salaries, then you have to make certain sacrifices, you can't have the money with out the committment. I reckon if you negotiate a huge contract that Wales, Ivory Coast or Mali refuse to cover, then you make a choice.

 

It might even keep salaries down.

[Knox_Harrington]

yep eggsacerley. One thing I find really tedious with these internationals now, is that there are always 2 or 3 weaker teams in each group which won't be competing for qualification at the end.So it's just not exciting. With just 4 stronger teams in a group, it'd be more like CL groups, which are often very competitive and go down to the wire. It'd make it far more interesting. And having 3 games in quick succesion, would give it more of a 'league' feel, and give the games a bit of an edge.

I also don't think it does the two or three weaker teams any good. They turn up, get t******, play defensive football and go home. If they play against one another they'll have to be more expansive in order to qualify. By allowing everyone in and not punishing poorer performances you allow the sheer mediocrity to tell. Sides that win enjoy it and want to win more. One or two Andorras who qualify will be much stronger for the experience of doing so.

[Herbie von Smalls]

i've actually thought for a while that there might come a time when football adopts some kind of system like test cricket, wherein a number of players are contracted to play for the national team.

 

this would require a restructuring of the whole international scene - e.g. a league and possibly a knockout competition, rather than four-yearly world cups and continental championships. it may split the game. with fifa and the various confederations' marketing power, it could make internationals more glamorous and wrest many of the bIg NamEZ away from club football with super-inflated salaries.

 

i'm not saying it would be good for the game as a whole, but it does seem like with clubs demanding more control over their players and compensation, and world/continental/national bodies in danger of losing ever more 'stars' to club pressure and 'retirements' that something will have to give.

 

it may never happen, but i wouldn't rule out fifa trying their best to restore international football to an elite status.

Edited October 14, 2006 by Herbie von Smalls

[Cobs]

it may never happen, but i wouldn't rule out fifa trying their best to restore international football to an elite status.

maybe i'm misreading what you're saying here but since when did International football not have an 'elite status' ?

[nvdm]

If the players didn't want to play in internationals, there are a number of ways they could get out of it. Since they in large part don't exercise these options, they obviously want to play for their countries and fans should respect that.

[Herbie von Smalls]

maybe i'm misreading what you're saying here but since when did International football not have an 'elite status' ?

subjective term, i guess, but since players started retiring prematurely; getting 'injured' just before less than key fixtures etc.

[Cobs]

subjective term, i guess, but since players started retiring prematurely; getting 'injured' just before less than key fixtures etc.

ahhh right, i was thinking World Cup...

[Gomez]

If the players didn't want to play in internationals, there are a number of ways they could get out of it. Since they in large part don't exercise these options, they obviously want to play for their countries and fans should respect that.

 

And pay for it? Bullsh*t.

 

Liverpool pay high wages because our fans pay good money for tickets, sky tv, merchandise etc. The least we expect in return is for those highly paid players to play for Liverpool. If they can't because they have been injured playing for a team we don't care about, and have not contributed a penny to that players wages, why the f*ck should we respect it?

[nvdm]

And pay for it? Bullsh*t.

 

Liverpool pay high wages because our fans pay good money for tickets, sky tv, merchandise etc. The least we expect in return is for those highly paid players to play for Liverpool. If they can't because they have been injured playing for a team we don't care about, and have not contributed a penny to that players wages, why the f*ck should we respect it?

 

So stop going to games that feature players that WANT TO REPRESENT THEIR COUNTRY.

[Knox_Harrington]

So stop going to games that feature players that WANT TO REPRESENT THEIR COUNTRY.

That doesn't make any sense.