Martinez hits out at international schedule

Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez has bemoaned the hectic schedule of international fixtures and agrees with those calling for change.

Martinez’s comments come after his side lost 2-0 at home to Swansea last weekend, when seven of the squad had been away on international duty earlier in the week.

The Latics are rooted to the bottom over the Premier League, and the Wigan manager believes football’s governing bodies should be looking for a solution to the fixture congestion.

“To have players flying all over the world from one Saturday to another is not a healthy situation for any club,” he said.

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

Martinez is particularly frustrated that his South American players are flying across the world during the season.

Maynor Figueroa and Antolin Alcaraz both rejoined the Wigan squad the day before Swansea’s visit to the DW Stadium.

“We get hurt more than others because we have a large amount of players who needs to get on a plane for nine hours to represent their countries in a friendly,” Martinez said.

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