Internationals

[norfolk white]

It is madness that players are playing on a Wednesday night for their country, flying across the world and then having to turn out again, as in Leeds case, on a Friday night, I doubt Arronnson will be in any fit state to play, countries cannot have it all, if they want our players then there should be a weekend of non football after international games for players to recuperate, I have no interest in this farcical international rubbish.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Madness is a good word to describe it

[spaldy]

serious question...

why don't some of the players just refuse this? I understand wanting to play for your country but they also have to make a living. Footballers have a short career to make their money and in the case of someone like Aaronson he's on his last shot. Bomb this time and he's playing a back up role on some MLS team. I can't picture any coach is going to hold that against them given the super short time frame for matches.

[Ozwhites]

serious question...

why don't some of the players just refuse this? I understand wanting to play for your country but they also have to make a living. Footballers have a short career to make their money and in the case of someone like Aaronson he's on his last shot. Bomb this time and he's playing a back up role on some MLS team. I can't picture any coach is going to hold that against them given the super short time frame for matches.

Can they simply refuse though? I know here in the NRL, the governing body can penalise clubs by making them sit out games if they decide they don't want to play internationals....wihout a valid reason.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Yep they can retire from international football.

Ferguson was genius at players suddenly having a minor injury or illness to stop them travelling - the current rules though try to stop that.

[Ozwhites]

Is the retirement decision final though, Hope? Surely they can't stop and start when it suits them? If so, would be a huge call for the younger players early in their careers for the sake of financial gain.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

I think they probably could technically (a number of players have unretired thrmselves for England over the last few years).

All your points are why they wouldn’t though.

[Billyni]

Some players consider it an honour to represent their country though.

[norfolk white]

Not disputing any of above, just that international duties seem to not give one fig about what happens to their players as they head back to their providers, knackered, niggling injuries and jet lagged, just give them all a weekends rest.

[norfolk white]

And yes, Ferguson was indeed master of fake injuries to players who miraculously were fit and ready to play the next premiership game.