The dispute between English women’s club and country has flared up again, as various clubs are upset by the Football Association’s proposal to require players to join the national team three weeks before the contentious international window in July.
This summer will be an unusual one for players as there will not be a tournament. However, England will have matches at the end of May and beginning of June. They will then face the Republic of Ireland and Sweden in Euro 2025 qualifiers from 8-16 July, which is designated for international games. The FA plans to summon players a few days before the matches on 27 May-4 June and then bring them back on 19 June for the last two qualifiers.
According to regulations set by Fifa, clubs are not required to release players outside of an international window. However, there is room for negotiation between the clubs and associations involved for a longer release period or alternate arrangements.
The July games are particularly contentious, publicly criticised by Ada Hegerberg and Leah Williamson among others, and it has led to a resurfacing of the issue that had an impact on preparations for last year’s World Cup. In April 2023 the European Club Association (ECA) raised concerns about federations’ plans to call up players before the mandatory release date of 10 July, cutting into their time off. The English FA intended to call up players for a pre-tournament camp as early as 19 June.
Due to the ongoing disagreement between clubs and federations regarding the release of players, the ECA and Fifa reached a new agreement for the release period. The original mandatory release date of 10 July was deemed too late for a tournament starting on 19 July. The new recommendation of a release between 23 and 29 June was opposed by England, who stuck to their planned camp start date of 19 June.
The current concern among clubs is that players will not have a much-needed break, despite England’s failure to secure a spot for Team GB in the Paris Olympics this summer. There was a chance for players to rest after two consecutive major tournaments, and it is disappointing that promises made last year to avoid a repeat of the fiasco have not been fulfilled.
Although the Women’s Super League will end on May 18 and the Champions League final will be held one week after, the FA believes it is important for players who are currently out of season to be in top form for crucial qualifiers. They also want to minimize the chances of injury for players who have had little playing time before joining the national team.
A spokesperson for the FA stated: “The football community is currently facing the challenge of organizing the schedule for women’s international matches. We are actively collaborating with clubs to find temporary solutions that prioritize the well-being of players, while also recognizing the significance of the upcoming Euro 2025 qualifiers. These discussions are still ongoing. In the long-term, our goal is for Uefa and Fifa to work together with international federations and clubs to fully comprehend the effects of the calendar on players both on and off the field.”
UEFA chose not to provide a statement regarding the choice to organize competitive games in July, despite the fact that numerous European leagues are currently in their offseason. Most individuals involved point to the international match calendar set by FIFA, which is not expected to be modified until 2026. Discussions about potential changes are currently ongoing.
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While in Marbella for their warm-weather training camp in February, England’s manager Sarina Wiegman shared her criticism of the calendar. She acknowledged that they are unable to change it and must instead focus on caring for the players and ensuring peak performance while minimizing the risk of injuries. This requires collaboration with clubs, as the FA and the clubs have no control over the calendar.
The international match calendar faces numerous challenges, including conflicting league schedules such as the WSL playing during the winter and the National Women’s Soccer League in the US playing during the northern hemisphere summer. This makes arranging matches within the season challenging. Additionally, the calendar must strike a balance between domestic and international interests. This can be difficult with elite club players and those on well-established national teams risking overexertion, while those on developing national teams or at clubs not involved in continental competitions or successful in domestic cups may have fewer opportunities for competitive games.
Fifa declined to respond to inquiries regarding the international match calendar. However, according to the Guardian, it is endorsed by member associations following thorough input and feedback from various groups, and the organization sees itself as a mediator in the development of the calendar.
The Women’s Leagues Forum, formed in collaboration with various professional women’s leagues in November, issued a statement emphasizing the need for balance between domestic and international football in discussions about the calendar. The statement acknowledged the significant role that women’s leagues and their clubs play in driving growth and professionalism in women’s football. It stressed the importance of a sustainable and growth-oriented calendar, which includes regular fixtures and broadcasts, as well as proper player rest and recovery.
Source: theguardian.com
