Switzerland boss Hitzfeld berates World Cup scheduling

Switzerland boss Ottmar Hitzfeld has blasted World Cup organisers for having his team play “in the jungle” of Manaus at the upcoming tournament. In a stinging attack on the scheduling of Brazil’s showpiece event, Hitzfeld, who turns 65 on Sunday, told globoesporte.com that the calendar  was “almost irresponsible” this summer and suggested that his side […]
by
sambafoot_admin
2014-01-09 16:47:00

Switzerland boss Ottmar Hitzfeld has blasted World Cup organisers for having his team play “in the jungle” of Manaus at the upcoming tournament.

In a stinging attack on the scheduling of Brazil’s showpiece event, Hitzfeld, who turns 65 on Sunday, told globoesporte.com that the calendar  was “almost irresponsible” this summer and suggested that his side are at a huge disadvantage concerning the logistical difficulties they will face.

Switzerland were placed in Group E alongside Ecuador, Honduras and France in what seems a relatively sanguine draw; Hitzfeld believes the venues cancel that out.

His troops begin in Brasilia before moving on to Salvador and finishing up against Honduras in Manaus on June 25. Said Hitzfeld of the travel agenda facing the Swiss: “Brazil is a big country, and you need to fly for five hours from Salvador to Manaus. This is also a great burden on us.”