The coaches of the football teams who are participating at the South Asian Games 2019 complained against the tight schedule of the round-robin league fixtures, which see each team play two matches without a day's break.
Bangladesh will play their first two matches on Monday and Tuesday, and the third on Thursday after a day's break.
“It is a schedule the like of which I have never seen before, and I hope I will never face it again," Bangladesh coach Jamie Day said at the pre-tournament presser Sunday.
"It is a ridiculous set of games in too short a space of time for the players’ welfare. I think it is wrong, but we have to get on with it. It is the same for every team,” he added.
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Sri Lankan head coach Packeer Ali said: "Injuries are a part of football and we have to consider this. The level of football will decrease if the games are held every day."
Maldives also have to play two games on consecutive days, before the same again after a day’s break to complete their four-match opening fixtures. Their head coach Peter Segrt threatened to withdraw from the Games if the fixtures were not revised.
"This fixture list would have a very bad impact on the players. I don’t want to see my players in the hospital. I spoke to my president and urged to revise the fixtures," said the Croatian-born German coach.
Bhutan head coach Pema Dorji said: “I am also not happy with the fixture list, which has not followed Fifa and AFC rules. A 72-hour rest is needed between matches. Whatever it is, as the fixture is out, we have to play.”