UEFA Nations League

NimAraya

La Grande Inter
La Grande Inter
Joined
Apr 22, 2005
Messages
10,549
Likes
9,004
10 years of FIF

Thibaut Courtois blasts UEFA for prioritising profit over player welfare​

Thibaut Courtois has hit out at the footballing authorities after Belgium's UEFA Nations League third-place playoff defeat to Italy, claiming that they only "care about their pockets" and warning that players will get injured if the footballing calendar continues to be so congested.

Courtois was critical that UEFA made the two sides play off for a bronze medal in the lead up to the game, describing the match as "pointless".

He was even more scathing after his side had slipped to a 2-1 loss, taking aim at the powers that be for their lack of concern for player welfare.

"This game is just a money game and we have to be honest about it," said Courtois.

"We just play it because for UEFA it's extra money. Look at how much both teams changed [lineups]. If both teams would have been in the final there would have been other players in the final playing.

"This just shows that we play too many games."

Courtois continued his criticism as the post-match interview progressed, going on to point out the hypocrisy of UEFA and FIFA's opposition to the Super League.

"They [UEFA] made an extra trophy [UEFA Conference League]… it is always the same," he said.

"They can be angry about other teams wanting a Super League but they don't care about the players, they just care about their pockets.

"It's a bad thing that players are not spoken about. And now you hear about a European Championship and a World Cup every year, when will we get a rest? Never."

He added: "So in the end top players will get injured and injured and injured. It's something that should be much better and much more taken care of."

"We are not robots! It's just more and more games and less rest for us and nobody cares about us.

"Next year we have a World Cup in November, we have to play until the latter stages of June again. We will get injured! Nobody cares about the players anymore.

"Three weeks of holiday is not enough for players to be able to continue for 12 months at the highest level. If we never say anything it [will be] always the same."
 

Ethor

Allenatore
Allenatore
Joined
Feb 8, 2019
Messages
7,908
Likes
7,218
Favorite Player
Still here!
Forum Supporter
Wow, and well said by Courtois. The only leverage the players have is industrial action, coupled with fan protests would be nice to make any real change.
 

Native

Allenatore
Allenatore
Joined
Jan 18, 2011
Messages
5,933
Likes
221
Favorite Player
Lukaku
Forum Supporter
10 years of FIF
Anti-Barca
It's true but also a bit cringe coming from some dude raking in millions himself for losing games to Sherrif with Real Madrid.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MVD

nelsonrivas2011

Capitano
Capitano
Joined
Jun 18, 2021
Messages
2,434
Likes
3,554
Favorite Player
Pandev
UEFA wants the top CONMEBOL countries in the Nations League to combat the biennial FIFA World Cup.

Good for us. No more friendlies against El Salvador and Tanzania.
 
Last edited:

CafeCordoba

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Mar 7, 2004
Messages
35,312
Likes
14,498
Favorite Player
Toro, Barella
10 years of FIF
It's true but also a bit cringe coming from some dude raking in millions himself for losing games to Sherrif with Real Madrid.
Why cringe?

Players take the market value from their services, they take what clubs are willing to pay.

But UEFA is the one deciding all the competitions, tournaments. As for NL, they just fucking invented that out of thin air, to get more meaningful matches => more money to them and the NT associations. I'm 100% players would rather have friendlies instead like the old system.

Courtois specifically pointed out that 3rd place match which sounded just fucking stupid to play at the first place. No player gives a shit if they are asked beforehand would you want that there'd be 3rd place match. No one would give a shit.
 

nelsonrivas2011

Capitano
Capitano
Joined
Jun 18, 2021
Messages
2,434
Likes
3,554
Favorite Player
Pandev
FGwapWEXIAMq6If
 

Ethor

Allenatore
Allenatore
Joined
Feb 8, 2019
Messages
7,908
Likes
7,218
Favorite Player
Still here!
Forum Supporter
Is this trip really necessary? Champions League, The World Cup, and League play. I know it's $$$!
 
  • Like
Reactions: MVD

Ethor

Allenatore
Allenatore
Joined
Feb 8, 2019
Messages
7,908
Likes
7,218
Favorite Player
Still here!
Forum Supporter
So Fifa got another "World Cup" after all :lol:
 
  • Like
Reactions: MVD

Nerazzurri_Ninja

Capitano
Capitano
Joined
May 14, 2011
Messages
3,309
Likes
713
Favorite Player
Zanetti
Copa America was set to expand, bringing in much of the Latin based European countries in Italy, Spain, Portugal and France, along with guests now with this tournament idk if that will happen
 
Top