Moyes silent in fixture protest

Manager David Moyes refused to speak to the press after Everton's Carling Cup defeat at Tottenham in protest at his team's busy schedule.

The Carling Cup tie was their third away game, and third loss, in six days after Thursday's Europa League match in Benfica and Sunday's game at Bolton.

Moyes said last week: "I find the lack of respect we have been shown by the organisers really disappointing."

Everton currently have severe injury problems and lost 2-0 on Tuesday.

The Toffees lost 5-0 against Benfica and suffered a 3-2 defeat at Bolton after conceding a late goal.

Manchester United played three away games in seven days after their Champions League, Premier League and Carling Cup commitments.

But when discussing Everton's predicament last week, Moyes added: "I am aware that other clubs will have a similar scenario but they haven't got games on Thursday and again on the Sunday.

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" We must beat Villa on Saturday to turn around our season "

"It could have been quite easily been moved but for the decision to screen Arsenal versus Liverpool on the Wednesday."

Tottenham cannot play home fixtures on the same evening as Arsenal - and with the Gunners game selected for television it could not be moved from Wednesday.

A football league spokesman admitted last week that a number of alternatives had been considered, including approaching the police over whether Everton's game at Tottenham could be switched to Wednesday, but this was rejected.

Moving the fixture to the next available slot in the calendar (8/9 December) was also rejected as this is after the date scheduled for the fifth round of the competition and would have created further congestion.

"The fundamental problem facing domestic fixture planners is the increasing number of dates being utilised by Uefa for European competitions, especially with matches in the Europa Cup being played on Thursday evenings," added the spokesman.

"In an already crowded fixture calendar it is becoming harder and harder for domestic football bodies to find dates that suit all parties."

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