Oliver Glasner, manager of Crystal Palace, has expressed concerns regarding the English Football League’s (EFL) perceived disrespect towards the UEFA Conference League, particularly amid his team’s busy fixture schedule.
Crystal Palace is set to face Arsenal in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday at 20:00 GMT, just a week after other quarter-final matches, as the EFL adjusted the schedule due to Palace’s prior match against KuPS in the Conference League last Thursday. This comes while they are also playing Premier League matches against Manchester City on December 14 and Leeds United on Saturday.
“This is my only criticism of the EFL,” Glasner remarked after Palace’s 4-1 defeat against Leeds, where the team has only managed one win across eight Conference League outings this season. “Scheduling a round that coincides with a Conference League match demonstrates a lack of respect for the competition, as they would never arrange fixtures during Champions League or Europa League weeks.”
He added, “This is part of the challenge we face now, having to play again in three days.” However, Glasner emphasized that being involved in four competitions is positive and that they embrace the challenge of a busy schedule. “We’re not complaining about the volume of matches,” he stated.
The upcoming match against Arsenal will mark Palace’s fourth game in just 10 days, although the EFL has previously defended its scheduling choices.
In November, the EFL criticized the “expansion of European cup competitions,” stating it was executed without proper consultation with domestic leagues. They acknowledged a willingness to compromise, yet noted that current scheduling conflicts are “entirely unavoidable.”
The expansion of UEFA’s European calendar now spans 10 midweeks, growing from six just two seasons ago, with the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League each allocated a dedicated week for visibility. This has led to logistical complications, necessitating that the EFL Cup’s third round be organized and conducted over two weeks to prevent clashes between clubs participating in the Champions League and Europa League.