Club v country row threatens to disrupt England World Cup preparations

Club v country row is threatening to disrupt England Women’s World Cup preparations as clubs are refusing to release players until June 23 but Sarina Wiegman wants training camp to start on June 19

• England’s World Cup preparations could be disrupted by club v country row 
• Sarina Wiegman had planned to begin training camp for tournament on June 19 
• However, WSL and other European clubs won’t release players until June 23 

A club v country row is threatening to disrupt England’s World Cup preparations less than 50 days before the tournament is due to start.

Sarina Wiegman had planned to begin her camp on June 19 but leading Women’s Super League and other European clubs are refusing to release their players until June 23.

Wiegman believes the difference of four days is significant and could impact England’s ability to be adequately prepared for the biggest tournament in world football. With the row set to rumble on, Mail Sport looks at the arguments of both sides and whether a solution is likely.

A club v country row is threatening to disrupt England Women’s boss Sarina Wiegman’s preparations for the World Cup

When is the mandatory release period?

The original date that players could be called up by their national associations was July 10 – 10 days before the start of the World Cup.

While this remains the mandatory release date, the ECA and FIFA agreed on a compromise of June 23-29, four weeks before the start of the tournament. A joint-statement said the new framework struck an important balance between players having sufficient rest while allowing nations adequate time to prepare.

The June 23-29 time frame is classed as a ‘non-mandatory’ release period which the ECA and FIFA said should act as a ‘guideline’ for clubs and federations, with the exact dates of release to be agreed between them.

Some allowances have been agreed. Players that require medical treatment for injuries will be allowed to join camps earlier. This would, for example, include England captain Millie Bright who is still recovering from knee surgery.

Millie Bright, who is recovering from injury, will be allowed to join the training camp earlier

Why does Sarina Wiegman want her players on June 19?

England have had their plans in place since November and it’s fair to say were not anticipating a push back from clubs this close to the World Cup.

Wiegman and the FA’s argument is that the 19th is not a date that has been plucked from thin air, but one that has been chosen with expert guidance, careful planning and consideration around player welfare.

If England were to start their camp on June 19, every player would have a minimum of two weeks off from the end of their domestic season. The belief is that a break longer than two weeks would be too long before a major tournament.

Wiegman also pointed to the fact it will take England two days to fly to Australia and recover from jet lag, which will impact their training schedule when they arrive.

The Lionesses’ boss had also planned to give players scheduled days off, including weekends, as well as allowing them to spend time with their families. That is part of the reason they want to start on June 19, to accommodate time off within camp. The argument is that this is a better approach than starting later and limiting time off within camp.

Wiegman argues that the date of June 19  has been chosen with careful planning

What is the clubs’ stance?

Leading Women’s Super League clubs remain adamant that they will not release players before the agreed date of June 23.

Their concern is that players will not have enough rest between the end of the 2022-2023 domestic season, the World Cup and the start of the next campaign. For example, the first round qualifiers for the Champions League, which will involve Arsenal, start on September 6 – just over two weeks after the World Cup final.

Any players who reach the latter stages of the World Cup could face a very tight turn around if they are required to play in the first round of European qualifiers.

There have been a raft of injuries in the women’s game that many believe could be attributed to a hectic schedule and a lack of rest.

Manchester United would be open to releasing players (such as Ella Toone) on June 19 but only if other clubs are willing to do so

It is not just England who are facing this problem. Other countries are also in a battle with clubs over the release of their players. Germany are due to start on June 20 but will not have their Bayern Munich players available. They are, however, expected to have players from other clubs earlier than the 23rd. Australia had also wanted their players earlier but several stars, including captain Sam Kerr, Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley all play for English clubs.

Mail Sport understands that Manchester United would be open to releasing their players on June 19 but only if other clubs are willing to do so. At present, other clubs are standing firm.

What could be the impact?

Wiegman said at her squad announcement that the Lionesses would likely not be able to have a warm-up/ send-off fixture in England before they fly to Australia.

If players do not arrive until the 23rd, they would likely only have around seven days to prepare for a competitive fixture. The belief is that this is not enough time given players will have been without football for two-and-a-half weeks.

Not having a send-off fixture would be a blow both in terms of England’s fitness levels and the promotion of the tournament. Given matches will be kicking off at non-peak times in the UK, stakeholders are keen to maximise promotion of the tournament before the team fly out to Australia.

There is also an argument that nations who do not have as many European players will be at an advantage if they are able to have their players earlier.

The England players may only have seven days in which to prepare for a competitive fixture

How likely is a resolution?

Wiegman maintained she and the FA are still talking to clubs and said she was hopeful of finding an answer before the planned start date of their camp.

Whether that happens remains to be seen. The understanding is that the 23-29 time frame is fixed and non-negotiable. Wolfsburg’s players spoke out in criticism of Bayern Munich ahead of their Champions League final. Their forward and Germany captain Alexandra Popp said Bayern’s players had asked to be released early and insisted the decision was not down to their team-mates.

The agreement between the ECA, FIFA and clubs was reached with a view to ensuring players were not stuck in the middle but that may be difficult to prevent if nations continue to push for an earlier date without success.

Wolfsburg and Germany’s Alexandra Popp said Bayern’s players had asked to be released early

Source: Read Full Article