Denmark's ragtag bunch of lower league footballers, futsal players and warehouse workers have kicked-off in their friendly clash with Slovakia in Trnava.
Christian Eriksen, Kasper Schmeichel and the rest of the Danish stars are absent due to an incredible row over image rights, with former Arsenal midfielder John Jensen drafted in at late notice to manage a squad of entirely uncapped unknowns
The Danish FA (DBU) have an obligation to fulfil their upcoming Nations League fixtures, but with no manager or first-team squad they have had to bring in alternatives at the eleventh hour ahead of the friendly in Slovakia and the Group 4 meeting with Wales in Aarhus on Sunday.
Denmark have been forced to name a squad made up of uncapped rookies due to a dispute with their star players
Denmark's World Cup stars are on strike due to a dispute with the Danish Football Association over image rights
Salesman Christian Offenberg leads out the ragtag Danish team after being named as captain for the friendly match
John Jensen has been named temporary coach as he takes charge of the friendly against Slovakia on Wednesday night
Regular manager Age Hareide, who led Denmark to the last 16 of the 2018 World Cup, has been relieved of his duties for both games on the premise that he has not picked this makeshift squad.
Christian Offenberg, a salesman, starts up front and captains the side, with student Simon Vollessen, who operates in the fourth tier of Danish football at right-back.
Christoffer Haagh, who represented Denmark at the Futsal Euros last year, replaces Schmeichel in goal, who saved a penalty from Luka Modric in their last competitive match at the World Cup in July.
The stars have refused to sign a new national team agreement in a dispute with the DBU over commercial rights, with Eriksen's personal situation part of the conflict, as reported by Sport Witness and TV2.
It is understood the Tottenham man is the part-owner of an energy drink firm, with his name and image being used to promote the brand. That is in conflict with Carlsberg, Denmark's main sponsor, who also produce their own energy drink.
It comes as major bookmakers rush to suspend betting following a dramatic plunge in odds for the hosts, according to industry experts Bookmakers.TV.
Denmark reached the World Cup last-16 but are without any of their star players due to a row over image rights
Thought to be one of the most aggressive in the history of betting, Slovakia - who were quoted as 2/1 outsiders just 72 hours ago - are now into as short as 1/200 for the match with the handful of bookmakers still willing to take bets on the game as the industry shuts up shop in fear of losing any more money.
At the current odds, punters looking to cash in on the apparent certain victory for the home side will need to risk £200 to win just £1.
Denmark’s ragtag XI is now quoted at 40/1 to win the game, having been installed as 6/4 favourites when the market opened.
The quote for a trip to Slovakia suggests bookmakers rate Denmark’s amateur side to be on a par with the likes of European minnows like Gibraltar and The Faroe Islands, who have historically been priced at similar levels.
Christian Eriksen looks set to return to Tottenham early due to a huge row with the Danish FA that sees him out of the squad
The most likely winning scoreline for them at 1-0 is rated as 100/1, longer than an 11-0 win for the home side which is just 80/1.
Denmark have been beset by internal problems over the past 12 months. The national women's team boycotted a World Cup qualifier against Sweden in October 2017 in a dispute over employment conditions.
Sweden were awarded a 3-0 win and UEFA fined the DBU £18,000.
The DBU was also warned that Denmark would be barred from UEFA tournaments if it cancelled another match in the next four years.
It is understood the country's top players are leaving their Copenhagen base to return to their clubs, despite them calling for an end to the dispute.
Manager Age Hareide (left) has been relieved of his duties on the premise that he has not picked this makeshift squad
'We have to solve this now, not just dig the ditches deeper,' Tottenham's Eriksen said.
'We're happy to stretch our hand again, even though DBU put it away in the first try. Let's renew the old deal by one month then we'll have time to negotiate the agreement.
'It does not make sense if DBU does not accept that offer. Sign up and we will sit on the plane immediately. We are ready and we will play.'
Eriksen added: 'We could be home in our clubs who pay our wages — at home by our wives and children. There is only one reason why we are here — and it's not money. It's because we love to play for Denmark.'
Stand-in boss Jensen, who lifted Euro 92 as a player and won the FA Cup with Arsenal a year later, said: 'I see only losers in the conflict, and Danish football losing most of all.
'When I say yes to help here, it's because I feel very strongly for the national team and because the most important thing must be that the games will be played after all.
'I don't consider the matter between DBU and the players. My "yes" is not an expression of it. I just hope to help us through two matches and that the parties find a solution.'
Link articlehttps://hienalouca.com/2018/09/05/ragtag-denmark-squad-arrive-for-slovakia-friendly-with-world-cup-stars-on-strike/
Main photo article Denmark’s ragtag bunch of lower league footballers, futsal players and warehouse workers have kicked-off in their friendly clash with Slovakia in Trnava.
Christian Eriksen, Kasper Schmeichel and the rest of the Danish stars are absent due to an incredible row over image rights, with former...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves Sport HienaLouca
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