Houllier critical of friendly internationals (05.09.2002)
NYON
Players forced to take part in meaningless friendly internationals are compromising their domestic league performances, Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier has said.
Houllier took a swipe at the international football calendar and the call-up of players for games like England`s clash with Portugal on Saturday.
"If it is an official game, I think it is alright to lose players from the club," Houllier told the UEFA Elite Coaches` Forum at the headquarters of European soccer`s ruling body.
"But sometimes, when it is only a friendly, I would like the team managers to take
intoaccount that they are going to play a lot of games at this time of the year.
"You know, from the start of the season to the end of September, there are about 46 days and in that time, in all competitions, they will have to play 12 games.
"The players have too many games and they don`t even seem to enjoy international friendlies anymore. They are a problem and I think most coaches would like to see them reduced.
"This week, we have lost the whole team away from the club. Four have gone to England and the rest to international games. Official games. So the whole team has gone."
