Denmark’s TV2 reports the country’s national squad, or at least the one most people would recognise, are now leaving their Copenhagen base and returning to their clubs, believing there’s no point in hanging around.
A commercial dispute between the top Danish footballers and the DBU, the country’s football association, has become increasingly bitter and got to the point that there’s now an alternative national team.
Needing to fulfil fixtures against Slovakia and Wales this week, Denmark have put together a squad made up of lower division players, many of which aren’t full time, and the country’s futsal squad.
It’s a mess and as the country’s biggest star, Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen has been at the centre of it.
The Spurs attacker has sent out a series of public statements, both criticising and then pleading with the DBU, over the situation.
Eriksen’s personal status is also part of the conflict. The Tottenham player is part owner of an energy drink firm and his image has been used to promote it. At the same time, the DBU have a sponsorship with Carlsberg who produce their own energy drink and there’s been a conflict of interest.
Daniel Agger was in a similar situation once, taking up a personal sponsorship with a rival to DBU backer Danske Bank. The Norwegian media have this week claimed that because the DBU couldn’t stop Agger, they told the bank they’d tell him to choose between his personal sponsor and playing for the national team.
It’s one of several accusations being sent either way and there appears good and bad points on both sides.
Eriksen is likely to be mentally exhausted, so it’ll be no surprise if Tottenham use the international break, and the player’s situation, to give him a few days off.
