MX23RW : Saturday, October 10 00:46:13| >> :600:103015:103015:

Dan Ashworth criticises European Under-19 Championship scheduling

Ashworth slams U19 Euro scheduling
© Reuters
Football Association technical director Dan Ashworth is unhappy with the timing of the European Under-19 Championship as England U19s prepare to get their title defence underway.

Football Association technical director Dan Ashworth has criticised the timing of the European Under-19 Championship as England Under-19s prepare to get their title defence underway.

The tournament has been scheduled to take place during the busy domestic football pre-season period, which has left the Young Lions shorn of several key players due to club commitments.

Manchester City's Phil Foden, Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho and Fulham's Ryan Sessegnon are among those absent from Paul Simpson's setup.

"It's bitterly disappointing that, once again, this tournament is scheduled outside a FIFA window which forces clubs to make such difficult decisions," Ashworth told the FA website.

"We understand the dilemmas the clubs face around release of players during this particular time of the season and it's our view, and that of several other countries, that UEFA should take this into account when scheduling tournaments of this magnitude.

"It's the same situation for every country here and this surely impacts the value of the tournament. We all want our teams to be facing the best players in the world to really provide the greatest developmental impact.

"Hopefully, UEFA will finally look at this properly and schedule the tournament at a sensible time in the season in the future for the benefit of the players, clubs, international teams and the competition itself.

"That said, I am confident in the players that we have at this tournament and it gives them all a brilliant opportunity."

The competition takes place from July 16 to July 29 in Finland.

ID:330777:

Click here for more stories about Dan Ashworth

Click here for more stories about England Under-19s

Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Phil Foden in action for England under-17s on September 1, 2017
Read Next:
Foden, Sancho dropped for being late
>
Latest Sports Video
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.

rhs 2.0
Nations League
Nations League
Nations League
League One
League Two
National League
National League North
National League South
Scottish League Cup
League of Ireland Premier
Welsh Premier League
Segunda Division
Eerste Divisie
World Cup Qualifying - South America
Major League Soccer
Brasileiro
Uruguayan Primera Division
J1 League
International Friendlies
Women's Super League
Tables

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!