Tottenham Hotspur’s manager, Thomas Frank, has voiced his frustration over UEFA’s current regulations following the exclusion of striker Mathys Tel from the club’s Champions League squad. The 20-year-old forward, who has shown promise under Frank, was left out of Spurs’ roster for their 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund, despite having started the previous four matches in all competitions.
The decision to exclude Tel came after Dominic Solanke’s return from an ankle injury. Solanke had initially been sidelined but replaced by Tel, who was performing well. UEFA’s rules dictated that only one of the two could be included in the squad, leaving Tel as the unfortunate casualty. Despite this, Frank stressed that his decision should not be seen as a reflection of his opinion of Tel’s abilities.
Frank Defends Tel, Calls for Rule Change
Frank explained the reasoning behind his choice in a pre-match press conference, noting that, in his view, the decision came down to experience. “It was him or Dom, and I chose Dom because of his experience,” Frank remarked. “Mathys has done well for us in many ways, but I couldn’t sub another player out. If I could have, I would have.” He further emphasized that his faith in Tel remains intact, pointing to the fact that the young striker had started four of the club’s last five games. Frank also made it clear that he trusted Tel to continue contributing positively to the team.
Tel, who has been linked with a loan move to Ligue 1 side Paris FC, is eager to secure a place in France’s World Cup squad. Despite his growing frustration with the situation, Frank has ruled out any immediate departure for the player this January.
Looking beyond the immediate issue with Tel, Frank took the opportunity to call for a revision of UEFA’s squad rules, particularly in light of the new competition format. With teams now playing eight group-stage matches, rather than six, Frank believes the regulations need to be updated to reflect the increased fixture load and expanded squad sizes in modern football.
“UEFA needs to modernize these rules,” Frank said. “We’ve moved from three to five substitutions per match, and the calendar keeps expanding. Why shouldn’t teams be allowed more flexibility in making changes to their squads, especially when injuries pile up?” Frank’s comments resonate with a wider issue across the sport, with many clubs struggling to adjust to the new demands of the calendar.
Spurs, who are on track to secure automatic qualification for the Champions League knockout rounds, will be allowed to make three changes to their squad if they advance. With players like Conor Gallagher and the potential arrival of Andy Robertson, Frank hopes for a stronger, more versatile squad in the next phase of the competition.
As the debate over UEFA’s rules continues, it’s clear that the situation with Tel has sparked broader discussions on how football governing bodies should adapt to modern challenges.
