Stoke manager Tony Pulis says his club should not have to keep playing away games in the Premier League following Europa League dates, just days after Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson blamed television schedules for creating "ridiculous situations" for teams playing in Europe.
Ferguson says the money coming from broadcasters means they are calling the tune on match schedules but Pulis is aggrieved at the way his team appears to have to travel round after midweek European action.
He said Wednesday he found it "unbelievable" his side may have as many as eight away games following European matches, having already endured three.
"Television revenue has been of enormous value to football clubs in England," Pulis said ahead of Stoke's meeting with Turkey's Besiktas on Thursday which will precede a Sunday trip to Swansea.
"But I also think there should be a chance for clubs, if they are in Europe, to sit down with the Premier League, the Football Association and the television companies and arrange the fixtures in a way that will help those clubs.
"If we are representing England, you'd expect the English FA to do their damnedest to give you the best opportunity to do well, not only domestically, but in Europe.
"I think there has to be a change somewhere along the line where you actually sit down before the fixtures come out," Pulis said.
"We know the dates that are given by UEFA early enough, so is there any chance we can work to a system where we are not playing six away games (after each of their Europa League Group E matches)?
"In fact it's eight, because we played two away games after two of our qualifying games, which is an unbelievable statistic."
Source: AFP
Source: AFP