The scheduling controversy erupted after Manchester City’s Champions League match against Real Madrid, which was followed by their FA Cup semi-final victory against Chelsea. Guardiola praised his players for their resilience, but expressed frustration over the disparity in rest periods compared to other teams like Manchester United and Coventry. Arsenal, also vying for the title, supported Guardiola’s concerns for player welfare.
Arteta emphasized the need for fairness in recovery time and highlighted the disadvantage faced by teams in the Premier League and FA Cup. The Football Association’s plans to eliminate FA Cup replays beyond the first proper round due to player welfare concerns were discussed. Guardiola called for more action, stating that the current situation is unacceptable.
He questioned the fairness of the scheduling and its impact on the players’ health. Guardiola expressed his doubts about the effectiveness of voicing concerns to the FA, and questioned why his team had less recovery time compared to other teams. Guardiola emphasized the challenge of preparing for a match against Chelsea with limited recovery time and reiterated his concerns about the impact on the players’ health and preparation.