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Should UEFA Nations League 2020 have been cancelled?

Despite COVID-19 starting to spread rapidly again across Europe, UEFA is pushing on with the UEFA Nations League 2020 with another double-header of games coming up in October. International breaks are usually unwelcome at this early stage of the domestic season but this time it seems particularly unwise to ask footballers to fly all over the continent.

With players already taking to the pitch twice a week due to the Carabao Cup being crammed into the opening month of the season, few will be relishing an trip away with their country as well. So what’s the point of the Nations League – and should the UEFA Nations League 2020 have been cancelled?

 

Inaugural Nations League was a success

 

The Nations League gets some stick but it is fair to say that UEFA could celebrate a success in the inaugural competition a couple of years ago.

Replacing universally unpopular international friendlies in the annual football calendar, the tournament produced thrillers such as England’s comeback win against Croatia, with late goals securing victory for Gareth Southgate’s side.

The Three Lions ultimately fell short at the first Nations League Finals, as Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal followed up their triumph at Euro 2016 with another international trophy.

There was a lot of scepticism around the Nations League, as well as confusion surrounding how it impacted upon qualification for the European Championship, but most people would agree it was an improvement on those hated meaningless friendlies.

This time, though, the UEFA Nations League 2020 seems particularly incongruous. Footballers had hardly any pre-season and many players in the Premier League already look ready for a break, rather than a fortnight gallivanting around Europe – even without the threat of catching coronavirus.

With COVID-19 cases rising fast again, it feels like UEFA should have had a rethink this year.

 

Competitive games for minnows are vital

 

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was among the big names in the sport to hit out against the Nations League on its launch, describing the competition as “the most senseless competition in the world” but perhaps he should talk to some people from lower down the football pyramid.

Players who represent one of the world’s newest international teams, Gibraltar, for example. It is only seven years since Gibraltar were recognised by UEFA as an affiliate, giving them the green light to enter the body’s tournaments, but they have already made great strides.

That is partly down to being able to play competitive UEFA Nations League matches. Games against other teams with lowly FIFA world rankings might not be of much interest for neutrals, but they are key for these countries who are finding their feet in the international game.

A couple of years ago, I spoke to Gibraltar striker Reece Styche after his team recorded eye-catching and historic victories over Armenia and Liechtenstein in the competition.

“It’s doing what UEFA thought it would, providing competitive games for every nation involved,” he told me. “For us, we’re part of history and if you asked 32,000 Gibraltarian people if this competition is meaningless then you’ll get a stern ‘no’. It shows we’re competing and that’s what it’s aimed to do.”

Gibraltar ended up finishing third in their UEFA Nations League table – ahead of Liechtenstein – and when the Nations League returned in August they were celebrating again after beating San Marino 1-0.

Realistically, very few people understand how 2022 World Cup qualifying fits in with the Nations League but essentially it improves Gibraltar’s remote chances of reaching Qatar ever so slightly, so that has to be a good thing.

 

Is the UEFA Nations League 2020 safe?

 

International teams will have to observe bubble-like conditions for the upcoming Nations League games and, as we saw recently, not all players are capable of sticking to the rules.

England youngsters Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood were sent home from Iceland in the last international break after breaking the restrictions, with similar stories likely to come to light.

With more and more countries reintroducing lockdown-style conditions, it seems strange to be asking players to travel across Europe at this time.

The impact on their physical health also has to be taken into account, with UEFA bizarrely opting to squeeze an extra fixture into an already packed schedule, meaning teams will play three games within the two-week break in both October and November.

England, for example, are set to play Wales in a friendly at Wembley next month ahead of two Nations League games against Belgium and Denmark – all within the space of a week.

UEFA’s rush to keep the UEFA Nations League 2020 going is surely endangering player safety.

 


 

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