JAKARTA - Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will not allow two of his players, Rodri Hernandez and Ferran Torres to strengthen Spain at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. He said other clubs also need to take similar steps to prevent players from fatigue.
At least six players currently playing for La Furia Roja at Euro 2020, including Barcelona's Pedri and Eric Garcia, have been called up to play for Spain at the Tokyo Olympics. They are scheduled to start training on July 12, the day after the Euro 2020 final.
While clubs outside Spain have the right not to allow their players to play in the Olympics, Spanish clubs are obliged to release their players.
"Ferran Torres and Rodri can go to the Olympics, but they will not participate because they have already appeared at the Euros. This is too much," Guardiola told TV3 television station, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, July 6.
"One summer tournament is enough. The club is paying the salaries of these players and they have to look after the assets.
"The current fixtures are too brutal and in fact new competitions and tournaments keep popping up," he added.
Spain are scheduled to face Italy in the semifinals of Euro 2020 at Wembley, London, Wednesday, July 7, and Guardiola praised his former Barcelona team-mate Luis Enrique for guiding the Matador team so far.
"You can't describe how happy I am for Luis Enrique. He deserves this and even more," he said.
"He is a winner in this team and continues to show that through his decisions," said Guardiola.
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