Martinez frustrated by calendar

09 March 2012 13:13

The planned restructuring of the international calendar cannot come soon enough for Wigan boss Roberto Martinez.

Prior to Saturday's defeat to Swansea seven members of Martinez's squad had to embark on long-haul flights to fulfil midweek friendlies but that situation is due to change in 2014 providing FIFA's plan for nine international double-headers over a two-year cycle is pushed through later this month.

However, Martinez feels the changes need to come sooner, and said: "To have players flying all over the world from one Saturday to another is not a healthy situation for any club."

He added: "We get hurt more than others because we have a large amount of players who need to get on a plane for nine hours to represent their countries in a friendly.

"It is wrong to put the players under that pressure, where they are risking injury.

"Then the clubs are getting players back on a Friday. It should not be allowed."

Source: PA