Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell insists the EFL should change their rule on international breaks in League One, a Mirror report suggests.
The Grecians go into today’s clash with Lincoln City without three players due to call-ups.
Devaluing The Competition
Caldwell believes the fact that clubs in League One don’t get an international break is ‘a joke’ and is concerned about the integrity of the league moving forward.
“I think it devalues the league a little bit when you look at the table and some teams have played two and three games more.”
“I think there were two games [that went ahead] during the last break, possibly three. For me, it’s something the league has to look at to make it fairer on all fronts. Everybody should be in the same boat.”
Three Missing For Lincoln City Match
Exeter welcoming Lincoln City to St James Park for today’s lunchtime kick-off is one of only a handful of League One fixtures taking place this weekend.
The hosts go into that match without three players who are currently away with their national sides. Josh Magennis was a 75th-minute substitute in Northern Ireland’s win over Belarus while Ilmari Niskanen was part of the Finland set-up as they went down 1-0 to the Republic of Ireland.
However, it was the call-up of Kamari Doyle to the England Elite League Under 20 Squad that has raised controversy this week.
Doyle was originally on standby, meaning Exeter had two players away and therefore had not met the postponement threshold. Monday’s deadline passed only for Doyle to be called up from the standby list, leaving Caldwell’s side no option but to play the game.
Lincoln Boss In Agreement
Lincoln manager Michael Skubala echoed Caldwell’s belief that the entire league should have a break for international fixtures.
“I think [a break] is something the league has got to look at, if I’m honest.”
“No one wants international breaks, especially when you’re winning games, and you’re in the flow. That’s the last thing you want. But, in the same sense, we need to make sure the competition is fair.”
Writer’s View
It is easy to see Caldwell’s grievance with a situation that has left him without three players for a key clash with The Imps.
International breaks may not be welcomed by fans but if teams are consistently without two key players due to national call-ups but have to play then the integrity of the division is impacted.
A primary school teacher turned writer, Tom has been part of The Real EFL for two years. He focuses on predictions, deep dives, and insightful content.
