Leeds United ace Junior Firpo calls out CONCACAF after what he was made to do
Leeds United defender Junior Firpo has launched a scathing attack on CONCACAF regarding the kick-off time of the match between the Dominican Republic and Bermuda.
The 28-year-old started the 3-2 win for the Dominican Republic on Saturday [7 September] at the ABFA Technical Centre Stadium in Piggots, located in Antigua and Barbuda.
Firpo addressed the CONCACAF on his X account [7 September] to berate the federation for sanctioning an earlier kick-off time in the Caribbean climate.
He said: “If @Concacaf really wants to improve Caribbean football, they should not allow this kind of thing to happen.
“Playing at these hours and temperatures is not healthy, we cannot ignore things like this.”
Leeds United defender Junior Firpo wants emphasis on player welfare
According to the Met Office, Antigua can reach temperatures of 31 degrees celsius this time of year, which is close to the 31-32 degrees celsius the players had to endure during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar [The Athletic].
The decision to host the biggest competition in world football in Qatar was scrutinised, despite the competition being played in the winter months, and it seems those within the powers of football are still not holding player welfare in their considerations.
Leeds should join Firpo with his concerns and launch an official complaint with the CONCACAF. Playing in such conditions is unacceptable by any stretch of the imagination.
Had Firpo suffered an injury due to the unfavourable conditions, meaning added workload on the body, Daniel Farke could have faced a prolonged spell without his first-choice left back.
The defender was a mainstay in the Leeds side that lost the Championship playoff final to Southampton last term and has kept his place in the side starting all four league fixtures this season.
Leeds signed Isaac Schmidt in the final days of the transfer window to provide further competition for the full-back spots.
However, Firpo will rightfully be expected to keep his place in the starting lineup after the international break.
His experience in the race for automatic promotion last season will be vital for the Whites’ automatic promotion aspirations this year.
In other Leeds United news, a Whites player has demanded a release clause amid contract uncertainty.
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