Celtic’s statement/explanation on international football didn’t cut much ice with fans angered at the treatment of players.
Ryan Christie and Odsonne Edouard are both victims of testing with Neil Lennon’s squad spread far and wide over the next week ahead of a Glasgow derby and then a Europa League tie against AC Milan.
The growth of international football has been an unwelcome development in recent years, halting the momentum of the domestic game with breaks in September, October and November.
Putting players out of training or matches purely through international get togethers is a new development this season with Celtic fans hit with a double blow within the space of 24 hours.
While we are constantly told that we are living in unprecedented times the growing impact of international fixtures is bound to lead to more pressure from the major clubs to curb the international calendar which now includes a third tournament, the Nations League.
. #CelticFC response to calls for our players to be withdrawn from international duty:
“The Club will always do everything possible to protect the health and wellbeing of our players, but the release of players for international matches is governed by the FIFA regulations.”
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) October 7, 2020
Bring all Celtic players back immediately as clearly their safety cannot be guaranteed. They would have been safer touring the White House.
— CwispyCwunch (@Richard_McKay_) October 7, 2020
Salzburg pulled all their players out of internationals after positive tests because Austrian Bundesliga had put a provision in meaning UEFA can force players to go. I wonder why SPFL/SFA didn’t do it.
— Paul Dundas (@pauldundas85) October 8, 2020
Nah get them brought back home now, Celtic pay the players wages not FIFA. Having players flying around the world in a pandemic is so stupid
— AlbaBhoy88 (@AlbaBhoy) October 7, 2020
I would ban the international games and let club football take priority. Travelling to countries on the banned list means anyone returning need to self isolate. Footballers are no different and I include European games in this ban
— Tez (@TXW30449) October 7, 2020
We’re used to getting fines from UEFA… let’s take it up a notch ?
— grimbobaggins (@grimbobaggins1) October 7, 2020
Players round the world need to step up against FIFA and refuse, not doing the game any good at all, players and their family’s health at risk too. Only reason FIFA want it going on is cause of sponsorship and not worried about everyone’s wellbeing #Celtic
— Paul (@Paul75224582) October 7, 2020
You’re putting them and, perhaps more importantly, their families at risk keeping them where they are.
They should be recalled.
— Eamonn Maguire (@eamonnthewakes) October 7, 2020
Irresponsible that international football is being forced on nations when we are clearly in the midst of a global second wave. We run the risk of introducing the virus into the very bubbles in place in order to get national football up and running, all for FIFA & UEFA pony shows.
— Martin Greene (@Martyg2363) October 7, 2020