Once when PSG was getting ready to take on Chelsea in this season's Champions league round of 16 first leg, the French league postponed a PSG league match versus Nabtes to afford PSG more rest time.
There was an uproar in some quarters. One said – "You see what PSG is doing, hun?
They[their league authorities] even cancelled their weekend match so they can stay fresh for the second leg.
I want them to be eliminated badly.
It's bad for football."
First of all, the word "cancelled" is not even proper. Another complainant
even called it robbery and wondered why FIFA should allow such liberties to PSG. One said he wonders why Lens the direct PSG competitor for first position didn't protest.
First, I don't know where the word "robbery" applies in this matter. Chelsea was being robbed or what? Or is it Nantes or the French league? Nantes agreed with the postponement, of which their league law says both teams must agree for a match to be postponed. So what robbery? What FIFA?
Years back I would tell people,esp those who support EPL clubs, how the Italian league smartly adjust matches to give their Champions league participating teams 24hrs or more rest advantage over their Champions league opponents.
Back then, I will complain that, why is the EPL so docile on this, not helping their teams through fixture changes.
So that PSG and one other team in another league had matches adjusted is nothing strange or new. It's an old phenomenon.
Manchester United for example, going to the Champions league is a joy to their fans, but they are also representing the ENTIRE ENGLISH LEAGUE. That is why United's performance can determine how many clubs in the EPL qualify for the Champions league next time, ie league coefficient.
No club comes to represent itself ALONE.
So it behoves on the association from which the club comes to take care of their clubs.
Eg, I can't blame my State Governor because my neighbour's children are eating delicious jollof-rice that their dad gave them, when my dad has the capacity to give me same jollof-rice but he is giving me garri to soak(a far less healthy meal) back to back. I should blame my dad, not the Governor, not my neighbour's dad.
Nobody shortchanged me, it's my own dad, that shortchanged me.
No EPL team or their fans should complain ONE BIT. If they must do so, they should vent their frustration on the EPL authorities alone.
Cheers
