It was with disappointment that PSV learned this morning of the KNVB's decision to once again ignore a request to move the home game with ADO Den Haag. 'We are playing, but we are left with a very bad taste in our mouths,' said general manager Toon Gerbrands.
Extremely disappointed
Earlier this week, the club management requested the KNVB to move the home game with ADO Den Haag as part of the change agenda Eredivisie. PSV would like to prepare as optimally as possible for the Europa League match against PAOK Thessaloniki, next Thursday in Greece. Due to long-term injuries and overuse among other players, the group of players is in danger of becoming bare. Two years ago, the clubs in the Eredivisie agreed together to prioritize European interests if possible. This is because it benefits Dutch football as a whole. Then, at the beginning of this season, it was agreed that, in addition to the already existing financial remittance from the change agenda, the European-playing clubs would cede part of the European revenues as part of the solidarity to the other clubs. "We still feel that we were fully justified in making that request, but are not getting a hearing. That was already extremely disappointing," Gerbrands said.
Thirteen A-selection players absent
In addition to the four "regular" injuries and the problems with players being overworked, PSV is now dealing with nine Corona cases in the A-selection. Jorrit Hendrix and Vincent Müller also tested positive this weekend. Earlier, Denzel Dumfries, Cody Gakpo, Pablo Rosario, Joël Piroe, Maxime Delanghe, Timo Baumgartl and Nick Viergever tested positive.
Health hazard
At Young PSV, five players are positive: Shurandy Sambo, Justin De Haas, Djenairo Daniels, Cheick Touré and Kyan van Dorp. "We can just about meet the minimum number of players," Gerbrands said. "To the letter of the agreements made about playing football in Corona time we have to play, but there are players on the field this afternoon who actually cannot play because of impending overload and thus risk of injury. The KNVB is exactly aware of their medical status but refuses to apply customization. Regardless of Corona; these players' health is also at risk. It is a bizarre confluence of circumstances and it should be possible to act accordingly. The refusal to accommodate us is incredibly disappointing."