Guardiola and Klopp told to stop moaning about fixture pile-ups by Uefa chief

ALEKSANDER CEFERIN has told Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola to stop moaning about the fixture schedule.

Analysts believe Premier League stars could face a “perfect storm” that threatens to bring unprecedented injuries this coming season.

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Liverpool boss Klopp and Man City chief Guardiola frequently fumed about how many games their sides were forced to play last term.

But Uefa president Ceferin hit back, saying only underpaid “factory workers” have a right to complain about being overworked.

The Slovenian, 54, said: “It’s always easy to attack Fifa and Uefa but the thing is simple.

“If you play less, you get less money.

“Who should complain are the factory workers who get €1,000 (£861) per month.

“Everyone wants more cup games but nobody gives up on anything.

“Clubs wanted ten games in the Champions League group stage. They’ll have eight, it’s the right number.

“Domestic leagues should have 18 clubs but the presidents do not agree.

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“They should understand that two domestic cups are too many.”

Uefa came under fire this month for shoehorning four Nations League games in immediately after the Prem season.

There has also been a huge backlash over the new 2024-25 Champions League format that includes more matches.

Klopp hit out at the Nations League in May, moaning: “It is one of the most ridiculous ideas in the world of football because now we finish a season where players have played more than 70 games.”

And Guardiola hinted at players and managers going on strike to protect their welfare after only being given a three-week break.

With Prem stars currently on their holidays before returning to pre-season, injury expert Ben Dinnery believes they should enjoy it while they can.

As the new season is being broken up by the World Cup in Qatar, he fears next year could see football finally pay the price for the ever-increasing demands it places on players.

Dinnery, founder of respected analysts premierinjuries.com, said: “When you factor in what’s happened with the pandemic, the European Championships, the Nations League games and a shortened pre-season with overseas tours, you’re at risk of creating a perfect storm.

“The requirement this season is squeezing in another four rounds of domestic fixtures before the World Cup.

“Matchdays five and six of the  European competitions have been shoehorned in too — that’s six more games.

“There will be a point where it all comes crashing down. This could be it.”

The Premier League starts a week earlier and finishes a week later to accommodate the five weeks needed for the World Cup.

But even with clubs voting for five subs again next season, England stars like Harry Kane face playing up to 23 games before jetting out to Qatar in November — 16 Prem, six Champions League and one in the Carabao Cup.

Dinnery added: “Those players are going to be playing in the red zone.

“That increase in exposure from playing more games puts those players at risk of picking up injury,

“With all due respect, you have five substitutes but you will still use the nucleus of your better players, like Harry Kane.

“It will be down to individual managers. Could they give a damn if a player does well for England or another country in the World Cup?”