“The meeting with the Premier was a waste of time”

Premier League coaches raised concerns about match congestion at their meeting with the Premier League on Thursday, but had the feeling they were speaking to a wall.

This is the impression that Antonio Conte got as he himself explained today in the press conference prior to the game that his team, Tottenham, will play against Crsytal Palace on Sunday on the traditional Boxing Day. The Italian coach led Chelsea from 2016 to 2018 and took over the reins of the ‘spurs’ on November 2.

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Both the players and the coaches have shown in recent days their concern for the health of the team members since they will play twice in three days as three Premier League games are scheduled between December 26 and January 3.

In addition, thirteen games have been suspended, three of them on Boxing Day, due to outbreaks of Covid-19 in various teams, hence their rescheduling will cause a greater saturation of an already highly compressed calendar.

Meeting with the coaches and captains

The Premier League held a meeting with the coaches and captains of all 20 teams on Thursday to address this match congestion, but was adamant about keeping the schedule unchanged.

“I have to be honest, I think it was a meeting where we tried to talk. Some coaches tried to talk to ask for a solution, but I think everything was decided,” Conte said bluntly. “Yesterday there was a wall. That is why I prefer not to enter the debate.”

When asked if the meeting was a waste of time, the Italian coach said: “I think so. When you have a wall in front of you, you can speak up and ask for whatever you want, but all the decisions were made.”

Tottenham suffered a Covid-19 outbreak earlier in the month that led to a three-game suspension from all competitions. Conte said he is concerned about player fatigue if those who have recovered have to play twice in three days.