Sevilla's Michel accuses the LFP of destroying football

Sevilla's Michel accuses LFP of destroying football

Aug 17, 2012 6:10:00 PM

The introduction of late evening kick off times for league matches has led to several managers voicing their concerns with the new season just days from getting under way

Sevilla's coach, Michel Gonzalez, has voiced his dismay towards the Liga governing body (LFP), and claimed that they are destroying the game.

Both the LFP and television broadcasters have been chastised by numerous clubs for the fixtures schedule in the early weeks of the season, with some matches kicking off as late as 23:00CET.

Speaking to reporters in a news conference, Michel said: "Does anyone who likes football schedule a match to start at 23:00CET? Football is being run by those with nothing to do with football and that is destroying it.

"This is why our players are going to other leagues and why in La Liga only two teams can win whilst the others struggle."

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The outburst comes after Sevilla have been scheduled to play Getafe on Saturday evening, with the coach claiming a number of his players have had minimal time to prepare for the match.

"It’s tactless that teams like Sevilla, after internationals, only have half a day to prepare for a game.

"Surely we have the same number of international players as other teams? I had to change to basic training today because a player of mine, Gary Medel, only returned at 01:00CET.

“But I have to accept it and continue to fight, because if not, I will be singled out."

Despite the Sevilla's coach's disapproval of the schedule, Atletico Madrid's Thibaus Courtois is less concerned. Speaking to AS he said: "To me 23:00CET is just the same as 22:00CET. We are all professionals and if we have to play at that time then that’s what we must do."

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