There has been mass debate
84% of people believe that football should always remain an Olympic sport, as per a recent JOE Instagram poll.
Undoubtedly in 2012, it was an exceptional festival of football.
A star-studded Team GB with the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Daniel Sturridge and Micah Richards. Neymar Jr lighting up London with dazzling performances. Mexico defeating Brazil in the final. It was a proper tournament.
Fast forward twelve years though, and managers are now more worried than ever about hectic fixture schedules and players becoming overworked with such a variety of tournament football.
For example, one of the main advocates of player welfare is Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.
Speaking in a recent interview, the six time Premier League title winner did not mince his words:
“If the big bosses and all the institutions like FIFA, UEFA and the Premier League don’t think about the players then the managers have to think about them, otherwise they will die. It’s too much. That’s why three weeks or one month is necessary, but the competition is there, and you have to adapt.”
Kevin De Bruyne has also flagged the hectic playing schedule and being overworked in the past, describing the international Nations League tournament as ‘unimportant’.
Julian Alvarez’s season too has been monumentally long. After featuring in City’s PL season 36 times and reaching the Champions League quarterfinals, the Argentinian striker then went on to play at the Copa America and Olympics.
Starting pre-season in July 2023, his season only ended yesterday, over a year later.
Yet, City are due to play Chelsea in just over two weeks.
Now, following a long season of football, the European Championships and Olympic football continuing, there has been a debate as to whether football should remain in the Olympics.
However, only 16% of people believe it should be scrapped.
