FA question Prem proposal
16 Feb 2008 - 10:10:36
The Football Association have raised serious concerns over the Premier League's plans to play an extra round of games overseas in the near future.
The FA's comments come hot on the heels of FIFA president Sepp Blatter's withering criticism of the so-called '39th game' plan, in which he said that such an event would not happen while he was in charge.
A following statement from the FA read: "The Football Association has listened carefully to the comments made by FIFA President Sepp Blatter regarding the Premier League's proposal for an international round of fixtures.
"While the Football Association has given full consideration to views expressed by all parties, we must also make our own position on this subject clear.
"We can confirm that the Football Association did speak to FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke about this matter on Thursday.
"We explained that while we had received a verbal summary on the subject, at this time we are not in possession of any detailed proposals from the Premier League to pass on to FIFA.
"It was also made clear to FIFA that the Football Association has some serious reservations about the proposal. We have a responsibility to the whole of English football and we have to consider any wider consequences and implications that this proposal may create.
"As a national association we also recognise the authority of FIFA and its executive committee.
"The Football Association has worked extremely hard for several years to improve our relationships and standing with FIFA and UEFA, and has largely succeeded.
"Clearly we do not want this extensive work to be damaged. We also do not want the Premier League's proposal to affect England's 2018 World Cup bid in any way."