UEFA president Michel Platini believes the creation of
the League of Nations represents a step forward for international football.
Ratified on Thursday, the competition will serve to
replace the majority of international friendlies and offer places in UEFA's
European competitions.
Divided into groups that will feature promotion and
relegation, nations will also compete for the overall title after the governing
body's 54 member nations voted in favour of the overhaul this week.
And Platini feels the removal of many friendlies from the
footballing calendar will serve to boost the international game.
"The principle is accepted and we need to
congratulate ourselves on that," he said.
"We have heard the call of those that want to do
this so we have created a competition.
"It's going to replace the friendlies, they don't
interest anybody. It's more of a competition and I think it's a good decision
because nobody wants these friendlies."
While some details still need to be ironed out, one worry
was raised in the press briefing on Thursday - the fear clubs may see players
return more fatigued due to the competitive nature of the league.
However, Platini looked to assuage such concerns,
assuring that such problems would be contemplated prior to its planned start
date in 2018.
"We've just accepted a resolution for a competition
that takes place in 2018. We're going to bear in mind all these considerations
but let's come back to this years down the line and maybe I'll have that
answer," he added.
"You're getting ahead of yourselves.
"We're not going to go into details right now. I
can't foresee that today."
UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino had more details
on the intricacies of the plan, though, insisting the move represents
"good news" for clubs as their players will not be exhausted from
intercontinental trips.
"Finding the right balance means also having a more
structured calendar to play with," he said.
"So for the clubs, concretely, it means that today
in the double-headers where you have friendly matches played all around the
world, the players will come back after the Tuesday night match on the
Wednesday, maybe from trips somewhere in the other part of the world.
"With the concept in place, the players will come
back two times out of three either on the Sunday or on the Monday night, and
the third time on the Tuesday night because we will have the co-ordination on
the match calendars similarly as it is done today only on the qualifiers. But
this will be for all matches."
Culled from Soccerway
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