London, UK — Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has branded it “irresponsible” for his team to potentially be forced to play two games in three days, following a fixture pile-up caused by the expanded European football calendar.
The scheduling crisis emerged after Palace reached the EFL Cup quarter-finals, where they are due to play Arsenal. With the club already committed to Premier League and UEFA Conference League matches, the proposed quarter-final date threatens player welfare.
“I can’t believe this won’t be fixed,” said the frustrated Eagles boss. “It would be irresponsible for the players and we have a responsibility for them and we have to look after their welfare.”
The Fixture Nightmare
Palace’s schedule in December is now under severe strain:
- Sunday, 14 December: Host Manchester City (Premier League)
- Tuesday, 16 December (Proposed Cup Date): Visit Arsenal (EFL Cup Quarter-Final)
- Thursday, 18 December: Host KuPS (Conference League)
- Sunday, 21 December: Visit Leeds United (Premier League)
If the Tuesday, 16 December date is enforced, Palace would face three matches in five days and five games in just 11 days. This directly contravenes the minimum 72-hour rest period between matches advocated by player representatives and FIFA.
European Expansion Blamed
The logistical headache is rooted in the expansion of UEFA’s club competitions, which now occupy 10 midweeks—up from six just two seasons ago. The Premier League has already blamed this expansion for the severe reduction of fixtures on the traditional Boxing Day.
The timing of the Conference League final group stage games has now clashed directly with the regular slot for the EFL Cup quarter-finals.
Glasner expressed frustration that the various football bodies had failed to collaborate when drafting the calendar. “It would be nice if UEFA, the Premier League and the FA talked together because it’s so surprising,” he added.
Possible alternative dates, including Tuesday, December 23, and even Christmas Eve, present their own problems, either by providing insufficient rest (48 hours) or causing massive inconvenience for supporters trying to attend mid-week afternoon games during the festive season.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta acknowledged the difficulty, stating that any fixture decision “has to be guided on two main things I think – player welfare and then supporters.”
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