Rodgers accuses Premier League of bowing to broadcasters after bid to postpone Spurs game rejected
We’re only playing to keep TV happy! Brendan Rodgers accuses the Premier League of caving in to broadcasters after bid rejected to call off Tottenham game amid Covid outbreak… as Leicester manager suggests powerful clubs are treated differently
- Brendan Rodgers fears Premier League are bowing to broadcaster pressure
- Leicester and Tottenham wanted their fixture rearranged after Covid outbreaks
- Manchester United’s fixture at Brentford was called off thanks to an outbreak
- Other appeals have fallen on deaf ears with league wanting minimal disruption
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Brendan Rodgers fears the Premier League are bowing to pressure from broadcasters to keep the show on the road after rejecting numerous calls to postpone matches.
Both Leicester and Tottenham wanted Thursday’s fixture rearranged after Covid-19 outbreaks, only to have their requests turned down by the governing body.
Manchester United‘s fixture at Brentford on Tuesday was called off thanks to an outbreak among the visitors’ squad, and Tottenham’s match with Brighton last weekend went the same way.
Brendan Rodgers fears the Premier League are bowing to pressure from broadcasters
Both Leicester and Tottenham wanted Thursday’s fixture rearranged after Covid-19 outbreaks
On Wednesday night, Burnley v Watford was added to the list two and a half hours before the kick-off.
But other appeals have fallen on deaf ears, with the competition keen to ensure minimal disruption while keeping sporting integrity.
Asked whether the Premier League’s lucrative TV contracts had influenced their stance, Rodgers said: ‘I’m pretty sure that’s the case, yes.
‘In terms of players, managers and coaches, we all want to play the games. But ultimately the health of a player is the priority. If you have players available, you get a better product.’
Manchester United’s fixture at Brentford on Tuesday was called off thanks to an outbreak
Each request is made on a case-by-case basis. The impact on the first-team squad is key, although some point to the existence of Under 23 squads and the ability to draft youngsters into match-day squads. Both United and Spurs had to close their training grounds.
Rodgers also indicated he believes the Premier League’s more powerful clubs are being treated differently. He will be without at least 11 players — some due to Covid-19 — for the Spurs game.
Tottenham boss Antonio Conte is frustrated that his club were not allowed to rearrange the Leicester game in order to play their Europa Conference League tie with Rennes, which was postponed last week due to Covid.
Tottenham boss Antonio Conte is frustrated his club were not allowed to rearrange a game
UEFA are expected to decide this week if Spurs must forfeit the match, and be eliminated, after confirming it couldn’t be rearranged by December 31.
‘We deserve to play this game and to try to have a chance to go to the next round,’ said Conte. ‘We didn’t play through no fault of our own but because of a big problem and because the Government closed our training ground.’
Meanwhile, Norwich are fearful about their match at West Ham on Saturday. They expect to learn today whether they will have enough players available, having been hit by withdrawals for Tuesday’s 2-0 home defeat by Aston Villa.
