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Roy Hodgson hits out over players’ breaks
ROY HODGSON has launched a thinly veiled attack on Rio Ferdinand for pulling out of England’s last two World Cup qualifiers.
There is a danger that these breaks are being seen as the 10-day break you don’t always get during the season.
Manchester United defender Ferdinand controversially withdrew from Hodgson’s squad to play San Marino and Montenegro last month to “manage” his back injury, then flew off for a sunshine break in Doha – where he commentated on the San Marino game – and also Dubai.
Hodgson is concerned that the top clubs are using the international breaks to give their stars a breather from a hectic fixture list.
Speaking at the Soccerex Forum in Manchester, Hodgson said: “It concerns me that we are guilty of accepting it’s the international break so we can give the player 10 days off or go to Dubai.
“Club football needs international football. It’s a great pity that we’re suggesting that internationals should be relegated to a lesser stage because clubs have championships or the Champions League.
“There is a danger that these breaks are being seen as the 10-day break you don’t always get during the season.”
Hodgson is also unhappy with Manchester City and Chelsea for organising a post-season tour to the USA just before England play friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and Brazil.