Futsal players to face Wales as top Denmark stars strike in row over sponsorship
Former Arsenal midfielder John Jensen is coaching players drafted in from lower divisions as players and the coach walk out.
Wednesday 5 September 2018 15:29, UK
Christian Eriksen and Kasper Schmeichel are among players set to miss Denmark's clash with Wales on Sunday because of a dispute over sponsorship.
The Danish football association, the DBU, is hastily putting together a team that is likely to feature futsal, third and fourth division players so Denmark can fulfil its obligations and avoid potential sanctions from UEFA.
Former Arsenal midfielder John Jensen has been drafted in to coach the players before a friendly against Slovakia on Wednesday and the UEFA Nations League group match against Wales after Denmark coach Age Hareide walked out over the dispute and has reportedly returned to his native Norway.
Talks between the players' union and the DBU have collapsed and the union says players want sponsorship deals to continue to focus on the team rather than individual players.
Tottenham midfielder Eriksen said his teammates are vowing to "stand together as a team."
He said: "We feel a lot of support, we know that all players understand that we are looking for a collective agreement for Danish football.
"We are fighting in our negotiations for our fundamental rights, also for future national team players - and not for more money."
The players had offered to extend their current contract by a month to allow time for more negotiations, but the Danish football federation rejected the offer.
The federation said in a statement that "the DBU has offered to accommodate the players in some of these circumstances," and added that it had offered "improved" terms so the original squad can play the two games.
"But even after that, it has not been possible to reach agreement."
DBU president Jesper Moller said: "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."
Last year, Denmark's women's team signed a four-year collective bargaining agreement with the federation, ending a dispute that saw the cancellation of a World Cup qualifier.