Denmark looking to recruit a new head coach for this week's makeshift squad
Monday 3 September 2018 17:24, UK
The Danish FA (DBU) has opted to postpone their squad announcement as the dispute with players over commercial rights continues.
The squad for the forthcoming friendly against Slovakia on Wednesday and their Nations League opener against Wales on Sunday was due to be announced on Monday evening.
Denmark's players met in Copenhagen on Monday to discuss their situation.
Negotiations between the DBU and the players' union, Spillerne, regarding a new contract for those called up to the national team had been ongoing for several months. However, Spillerne says the DBU walked out of talks on Friday night.
The Danish FA, which is in danger of being banned from international competition by UEFA, is still working hard to find a team of lower-ranked players willing to play for the national team without an agreement with the players' union.
Players in the Danish lower leagues have been given until 6.00pm on Monday to report their availability to the DBU, following which UEFA will determine whether the squad lives up to the obligations of the UEFA Nations League that Denmark are fielding the strongest team possible.
The DBU decided not to have head coach Åge Hareide and his backroom staff in charge this week as it will be an entirely different squad to their usual group.
The manager for this week is also likely to be from the lower leagues of Danish football.
If they are forced to forfeit the tie with Wales, they are likely to face a UEFA ban.
That is because the DBU had a similar disagreement with the women's team, which resulted in a World Cup qualifier being cancelled. On that occasion, UEFA fined the DBU and threatened Denmark with expulsion from competition if it happened again.
Simon Kjaer, the Sevilla defender who has 82 Denmark caps, has accused the DBU of trying to blame the players for the stalemate.
He told Ekstra Bladet, a Danish newspaper: "It is the DBU that creates problems and risks for cancelled international matches and giant consequences for everyone in Danish football.
"We feel that the DBU would like to make us mad. They will make it as if it's us players who do not want to play internationally. But that's exactly the opposite.
"I must admit that it is our clear impression that the DBU has not been interested in finding a quick solution. Right now we fear the consequences for Danish football."
The DBU says they need to alter the commercial arrangement they have with the players in order to raise more funds for community projects, but that the players will not agree because of their personal sponsorship deals.
DBU president Jesper Moller said: "It is regrettable and serious that there is no new national team agreement.
"The crucial thing is now that the two national matches will be played. The board has therefore asked DBU's management that the two international matches will be played with the strongest possible team.
"Otherwise, we risk major fines and possible exclusion from UEFA."
