The UEFA Nations League
- Thread starter nailsy
- Start date
Ionman34
SC Supporter
- Jun 1, 2011
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Don’t be silly...The finish?
I never had the legs to make the run in the first place!?
Marty
Audere est farce
- Mar 10, 2005
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- 64,023
Love a bit of Covid nonsense.
One of the Norwegian players (Omar Elabdellaoui, Galatasaray) tests positive for Covid. By national rules the entire squad has to quarantine for 10 days. Friendly against Israel on Wednesday called off (which should never have been played anyway, so that's fine.)
But here's the kicker. The entire rest of the squad and staff tests negative twice on Thursday and Friday, yet the team is refused to leave the country to play two Nations League games in Romania and Austria because they're breaking national quarantine laws by going to the airport. Even when the federation offers to leave all domestic players at home so only players based abroad make the trips and then return straight from Austria to the country of their club, health authorities and government still say no. This will probably result in Norway forfeiting two matches and ending third in their group (above N.I. but below the other two).
But it seems mad to stop covid-free players and staff from leaving the country and it flies in the face of UEFA protocols that our government has previously approved. It's an epic shitshow that might have ramifications way beyond Norway if this forces UEFA into a protocol adjustment.
One of the Norwegian players (Omar Elabdellaoui, Galatasaray) tests positive for Covid. By national rules the entire squad has to quarantine for 10 days. Friendly against Israel on Wednesday called off (which should never have been played anyway, so that's fine.)
But here's the kicker. The entire rest of the squad and staff tests negative twice on Thursday and Friday, yet the team is refused to leave the country to play two Nations League games in Romania and Austria because they're breaking national quarantine laws by going to the airport. Even when the federation offers to leave all domestic players at home so only players based abroad make the trips and then return straight from Austria to the country of their club, health authorities and government still say no. This will probably result in Norway forfeiting two matches and ending third in their group (above N.I. but below the other two).
But it seems mad to stop covid-free players and staff from leaving the country and it flies in the face of UEFA protocols that our government has previously approved. It's an epic shitshow that might have ramifications way beyond Norway if this forces UEFA into a protocol adjustment.
rossdapep
Well-Known Member
- Aug 25, 2011
- 22,229
- 80,065
UEFA Nations League should have been postponed, it's not a major tournament in the way of a Euros or WC and has just heaped unnecessary travel and games into the schedule. No one would have been crying if they'd done so other than the powers that be at UEFA. You could at least argue that domestic campaigns need to go ahead for the existence of clubs and to help the public have a source of entertainment. But this is Money motivated, nothing else.
this is why i think there shouldn't be any international matches, travelling to 2 or 3 countries in a week is just stupid.
Marty
Audere est farce
- Mar 10, 2005
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- 64,023
I agree in principle, all internationals should've been cancelled for as long as the pandemic lasted. I would've cancelled CL and EL as well.
But it becomes a shitshow when a national government signs up to UEFAs Covid protocols and later, and at the very last minute before departure, turns around and says that they aren't good enough after all. That's why this might prove to have ramifications well beyond just these two games.
Marty
Audere est farce
- Mar 10, 2005
- 40,200
- 64,023
Thank feck there isn't more before the end of March. CL and EL could be interesting though, I can't imagine Arsenal travelling to play Molde in Norway if they risk being quarantined outside UEFAs protocol.
Who’s our next manager?
Well-Known Member
- Jul 6, 2020
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I’ve said before that each Autumn we’ve had international friendlies which were criticised so they turned the friendlies into a tournament. What happens then ? We play the tournament games and also another pointless friendly.
LeParisien
Wrong about everything
- Mar 5, 2018
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France could easily be 2 up. Bossing this. Portugal look average.
Cue: 87th minute Bruno Fernandes pen.
LeParisien
Wrong about everything
- Mar 5, 2018
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He’s missed three great chances tonight !! Not good enough at this level
TheTanguy
Well-Known Member
- Sep 30, 2020
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Not that I'm complaining, but don't you think it's strange that Ndombele has been left out of the France squad?
TheTanguy
Well-Known Member
- Sep 30, 2020
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Couple of months ago they were debating at Redcafe whether he was better than Kane.
LeParisien
Wrong about everything
- Mar 5, 2018
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There’s a case for him making the squad. Perhaps Deschamps is looking for more balance and that’s why he’s picking someone like Sissoko. Although after the Finland game we might not see him again - Sissoko has been peripheral for years now.
He’s some way off starting though. Deschamps loves Pogba (who plays better for France and was a real leader in the WC win). Rabiot is also now in favour and offers a little more solidity. And then there’s Kanté who has a different skill set. That midfield three is really nicely balanced. And Tolisso is the first person who would come in for one of the 8s.
If Giroud starts less and speedy attackers like Martial, Coman, Mbappe and Thuram play instead then there’s a case for ndombele to play as he has great verticality. But Pogba and especially Griezmann are the creators in this side so there isn’t a pressing need for someone like Ndombele.
If Ndombele kicks on at spurs then of course he’ll be involved...
