Scotland captain Andy Robertson has criticised football governing bodies UEFA and over their scheduling of a series of international fixtures in June.
Between the UEFA Nations League and FIFA World Cup qualifiers, there is a possibility that Scotland could play six matches in June, with players’ summer breaks already truncated because of the winter running of the World Cup in Qatar.
The semi-final of the World Cup qualifying play-offs against was due to be played last week but was delayed because of ’s invasion of the country, meaning that match will now be played in summer. If Scotland win, they will face Wales in a final play-off match to decide who goes to the World Cup.
Steve Clarke’s men also due to play four Nations League matches between 4 and 14 June.
The Scottish domestic season is set to begin on 9 July, while the Premier League’s 2022/23 campaign will kick off on the weekend of 6 August. Liverpool left-back Robertson is displeased with the shortened rest he and his colleagues are facing.
‘I don’t think it’s fair to ask players to play six games in June when our summer break is already being cut short because of the during the season,’ Robertson said in a press conference ahead of his side’s friendly against Austria in Vienna tonight.
‘A lot has been said about player welfare over the last couple of years and I hope that’s at the forefront of the decision. To ask players to have only two weeks off in a whole year is unacceptable for me. The Nations League is important but four games is a lot after an intense season for everyone. I think four has to be the maximum.
‘We are already going to June 14 and all the boys are back at the latest by the start of July. The Scottish-based boys are back well before that, the Championship boys as well. You are asking boys to have eight or nine days’ holiday, which I don’t think is fair. That’s why I hope it doesn’t go further than June 14.’
‘But maybe other games could be moved to other international breaks to fit that in. It has to be on their terms and I think other games can make way for the most important ones.’
Scotland are aiming to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1998, when they were knocked out in the first round in France after being drawn against Morocco, Norway, and eventual champions Brazil in the group stage.
They qualified for their first international tournament in over two decades by reaching the EURO 2020 tournament, when they again failed to make it past the opening round.
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