Ancelotti, Xavi Back Guardiola’s Call for Strikes Against Increasing Fixtures

• Carlo Ancelotti and Xavi Hernandes have united behind Pep Guardiola
• The Manchester City boss has pleaded against increasing fixture congestion
• Real Madrid and Barcelona players have suffered major injuries this season

Pep Guardiola’s call for players to go on strike in a fight against the fixture congestion at the top of European football has received support from Carlo Ancelotti and Xavi Hernandes.

Both Real Madrid and Barcelona have seen their players suffer various injuries already, with Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao ruled out for months after tearing their ACLs.

Ronald Araujo is sidelined for six weeks after he suffered a hamstring injury in Barcelona’s victory against Getafe last weekend, and this has prompted Ancelotti to kick against the fixture congestion, Football Espana reports.

“The coaches don’t matter at all, and neither do the players. Those who take the decisions take them in this sense – they see that football is not as entertaining as it should be, so they add more games in order to make more money. That’s the reality.

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“That’s the problem. The ones who are most affected are the players, who get injured, they cannot bring what they have in terms of quality, because of the tiredness they feel.”

Xavi also supported Ancelotti’s comments, claiming that he supports the call for industrial action as he says fixture congestion has caused tiredness and fatigue

Guardiola slams FIFA and UEFA

Meanwhile, Khel Now reports that Pep Guardiola called out FIFA and UEFA in his recent press conference following Manchester City’s win over Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup.

The Manchester City manager urged all footballers to stop playing to save further injuries after learning of the length of Kevin De Bruyne’s injury.

De Bruyne joins the long list of players who have suffered long-term injuries at the start of the new season, with Juriel Timber, Eder Militao, Thibaut Courtois, and Christopher Nkunku all ruled out for several months.

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La Liga to penalise Madrid

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Real Madrid have gotten into a squabble with La Liga after the first matchday of the 2023/24 season, following the Spanish club’s decision to stay away from their television commitments.

The Spanish league body has implemented new guidelines for the new season, requiring each club to be present for a flash interview at half-time during live games, after sealing a partnership with EA Sports.

Real Madrid failed to comply with the new La Liga TV guidelines at San Mames during their 2-0 victory against Athletico Bilbao on Saturday, with no player present for the half-time interview.