Leeds United: Sky Sports announcement could be blessing in disguise for Daniel Farke
Leeds United is used to having their fixtures changed, even on short notice, but this time it might well be a godsend.
In order for Sky Sports to broadcast the Whites’ trip to Watford, the kickoff time was recently moved to Friday, March 29 at 8 p.m.
Although it is not ideal for fans to have to go back from the capital late, Daniel Farke might benefit from this development.
Junior Firpo latest Leeds United player to be called up
This is due to the fact that the count of athletes departing on global assignments this month is steadily increasing.
Not only does Junior Firpo have the typical international roster, which primarily consists of Wales players, but he has also been called up by Latin America.
On Monday, March 11, it was formally confirmed that Firpo had legally renounced his allegiance to Spain, the country he played for at the Under-21 level.
While having players represent their country has its benefits, there is a drawback in that they run the danger of getting hurt while gone.
Even if they manage to avoid any setbacks, they will undoubtedly return more worn out than those who have had the two weeks off to recuperate.
Watford v Leeds United given late kick-off slot on Sky Sports
Good Friday’s late kickoff is unfair to Leeds, who might have easily been assigned a 12:30 or 3pm slot.
In essence, that translates into an additional seven and a half hours of recuperation time, which might not seem like much.
Nevertheless, that might be excellent news given that Firpo, to name just one, won’t be returning to the UK until at least March 27.
It’s possible that those extra hours will mean the difference between Firpo starting the game and not playing at all.
For what it’s worth, Leicester City’s returning foreign players will need to get ready for an away game at Bristol City at 12:30 p.m.
Even while the margins are slim, every last advantage counts in what appears to be a close promotion contest.
In a related article:
Premier League release statement that impacts Sunderland, Leeds United & Co
Following a shareholders’ meeting in London on Monday, Premier League clubs made no offer of additional financing for the EFL.
Leading insiders had voiced optimism ahead of the meeting, which might have been pivotal following what was called a “staging” meeting on February 29. The top flight’s clubs, however, felt that it is first imperative they work out a new financial system which would eventually replace the current profitability and sustainability rules (PSR), therefore the conference ended without an offer being made.
Although a six-year arrangement worth an estimated £900 million that would have given the EFL 14.75% of the Premier League’s net media revenue has been discussed in the past, Premier League clubs are now prioritising settling on their own financial model before contacting the EFL.
The government has stated time and time again that it wants the football authorities to reach a new financial settlement amongst themselves, but it has also issued a warning that a new one might be forced upon them by the new independent regulator’s “backstop” powers.
The Premier League said on Monday that clubs had decided to make the quick development and introduction of a new league-wide financial system their top priority during today’s shareholders’ meeting, according to a league spokesperson. This would guarantee the Premier League’s ability to maintain its current position as the world’s top investment in sports at all levels and give clubs confidence about their future financial strategies.
“In addition, Premier League clubs reaffirmed their pledge to work with the EFL to secure a financially sustainable arrangement, contingent upon clubs formally endorsing the new financial structure.
“The league and clubs also reaffirmed their ongoing and longstanding commitment to the wider game which includes £1.6 billion distributed to all levels of football across the current three-year cycle. The Premier League’s significant funding contributions cover all EFL clubs and National League clubs, as well as women and girls’ football, and the grassroots of the game.”
The EFL has not responded to requests for comment; later this week, the board is anticipated to consider the matter. The Daily Telegraph was informed by a person with direct knowledge of the Government’s predicament that the current state of affairs is “absolutely shambolic given they briefed over the weekend that it would definitely go to a vote, and they have been ‘quietly confident’ it would pass for the last 10 days.”
A comment has also been requested from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS). The Financial Sustainability Regulations (FSR) of UEFA, which govern the squad cost to revenue ratio, are more closely linked with the structure that the Premier League is considering.
