Mauricio Pochettino says it is “not fair” that Ajax get the weekend off before their Champions League semi-final while Tottenham have a Premier League match to play.
Spurs have at least been afforded a Saturday lunchtime kick-off as they aim to further tighten their grip on the top four when they host West Ham, but the Dutch Eredivisie have cancelled Ajax’s domestic fixture.
Pochettino went on a lengthy rant ahead of his side’s last-16 fixture at Borussia Dortmund, calling on the governing bodies in this country to help English clubs with scheduling, and he has been again left frustrated by a disparity in preparation time.
Spurs’ packed fixture list would make it impossible for their game against the Hammers to be played at another time, but Pochettino says Ajax will now have an advantage.
“I know the Premier League and the FA tried to help us to prepare the semi-final,” the Spurs boss said.
“The Premier League is completely different to the Dutch league. Football in Europe is completely different to England.
“The reality is they’re going to have more time to prepare and avoid risk. When you play Saturday and you must play Tuesday, and you compete in a derby game playing for big things, the concentration and effort is massive.
