Tottenham captain Heung-Min Son has criticised the elevated workload on gamers and has urged the soccer authorities to take the problem “really seriously” amid hypothesis gamers may take strike motion.
Son has grow to be the newest participant – together with Man Metropolis duo Rodri and Manuel Akanji, and Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker – to voice concern over the extra workload going through elite professionals.
Rodri, who suffered a knee ligament damage in Sunday’s 2-2 draw in opposition to Arsenal, even urged final week gamers may strike over growing fixture congestion.
Talking forward of Spurs’ opening Europa League recreation in opposition to Qarabag on Thursday, Son stated: “A lot of players came out and said the right things and I think it was very important that someone actually came out to say the right things.
“Gamers are the primary guys to must say one thing and it is undoubtedly numerous video games. As a soccer fan you need to see a top quality recreation, not as many video games as potential, and you do not need to see individuals or gamers combating accidents, which no one desires to see.
“It is undoubtedly numerous video games, numerous travelling [so] now we have to take care of ourselves which is typically very onerous, and generally mentally and bodily you are not prepared and while you’re going onto the pitch then the danger of damage is huge.
“We are not robots, so I think we just definitely have to look after that and definitely reduce the games and can play a better quality of game. I think this should be the aim.”
He added: “I think it’s a lot of work and the programme is adding even more games. For example, City played on Sunday [against Arsenal] and Tuesday [against Watford]. This was not even flexible, so it could probably move for the guys to Wednesday instead of Tuesday, but it’s not flexible.
“I feel that is what we’re speaking about and that is regular that everyone will get an damage and a excessive danger of damage. I feel it is not honest.
“Also, I think Rodri says the right things that we play maybe 50 or 60 games and not more than 70 games – I think this is not fair.”
Son: UEFA, FA and FIFA must take problem actually critically
Requested whether or not he could be in favour of happening strike, the South Korea captain replied: “No, you want to go to the final and play a lot of games. That’s a different scenario, but what I want to say is that the platform, for example, the Champions League changed to play even more games and I think this is not right to look after players.
“What we will do is that we undoubtedly can change it and we will undoubtedly go in a great way that individuals can take care of the gamers.”
Questioned over whose responsibility it is to strike, the 32-year-old responded: “It is undoubtedly not the gamers.
“When the fixtures come the players have to be on the pitch. There’s a lot going on. UEFA, the FA and FIFA, everybody has to take this really seriously. It’s not just random, like only a few players come out saying it’s way too many games.
“What we need to see is high-quality video games and high video games with high gamers, so I feel this ought to be the intention.
“Obviously injuries also sometimes come with less games, but with the possibility of a lot of travelling, a lot of games then it will be higher than when you play less games.”
‘I really like Rodrigo’ – Son has no drawback with Bentancur over alleged comment
Son additionally expressed his “love” for team-mate Rodrigo Bentancur, regardless of the Uruguay midfielder making an alleged racist comment concerning the South Korean over the summer time.
The previous Juventus man was charged final Thursday with an alleged misconduct breach by the Soccer Affiliation in relation to a media interview.
Within the clip, which emerged in June, the host of a Canal 10 present requested Bentancur to point out the shirt of a Spurs participant, with the 27-year-old allegedly replying: “Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin too as they all look the same.”
Whereas an apology from Bentancur was swiftly forthcoming, on account of this being an “aggravated breach”, if an impartial regulatory fee panel upholds the FA cost, he could possibly be suspended for six to 12 home matches, the PA information company understands.
Son stated: “At the moment, because of the FA process, I can’t say much about it. But I love Rodrigo, I love him. We’ve a lot of good memories, we started playing together when he joined (in January 2022).
“He knew. He apologised straight afterwards after we had vacation. I used to be at residence. I did not even realise what was happening. He despatched me an extended message and you possibly can really feel it was coming from his coronary heart.
“When we came back for pre-season, he felt really sorry and he almost cried when he apologised publicly and personally as well. He felt like he was really sorry. We are all human and all make mistakes and we learn from it.
“I really like Rodrigo. I really like him, I really like him. He is aware of he made a mistake however I’ve no drawback in any respect with him. We transfer on as a team-mate and good friend and as a brother. We transfer on collectively.”