'Complete chaos' - Netherlands boss Andries Jonker blasts 'unacceptable' UEFA calendar as he claims 'men have priority' over women

There has been a lot of debate over the women's football calendar in recent weeks, with qualifiers for the 2025 UEFA Women's Euro to be played in two international breaks that come in June and July, once most European seasons have ended. England boss Sarina Wiegman expressed her worries during the Lionesses' February camp and many players have done so in the past, too, such as Leah Williamson and Vivianne Miedema.

Netherlands boss Jonker has now expressed his frustration with the calendar, telling reporters: "In women's football, there is a need for calm and vision. In my view, it is complete chaos. July 16, in the middle of summer, we have to play a Euro qualifier. How are we going to do that? The end of the season is at the end of May. Then we have to play an international period and a month later we have to play football again. UEFA has determined that and there is nothing to argue with that. That is a distinguished problem.

"It has to do with the full calendar of the women and not wanting to play at the same time as the men. Then that calendar gets completely full. The men have priority and the women have to adapt to that. This is really not acceptable. Most players have no rest at all."

Concerns over the schedule come at a time when injuries are ravaging the women's game, too. Players continue to be struck down by devastating ACL ruptures, with the likes of Williamson, Miedema, Beth Mead, Alexia Putellas, Sam Kerr Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Jill Roord just a few of the names to have been hit with such a setback in recent times.

Indeed, the Netherlands will be without Miedema for their upcoming Euro qualifiers because she has had to have a further surgery after making her return from an ACL injury back in October.

"It's the same knee again," she said when the news was announced. "I was just on the way back and felt myself getting stronger mentally and physically. Soon, I'll have to go back to the gym. It's hard and frustrating. When will this stop for me?"

The Oranje return to action at the start of April, opening their Euro qualifying campaign with a trip to Italy as they bid to bounce back from the disappointment of not qualifying for the Olympics.