Brazilians and French players will be free for FA Cup final

FIFA PRESIDENT Sepp Blatter yesterday promised he will not let a celebration match between France and Brazil in May interfere with preparations for the FA Cup final — but he signalled his belief there are too many domestic games in England.

The European and world champions are playing a FIFA centennial celebration match in Paris on May 20, two days before the FA Cup final a fixture that has worried Arsenal and Manchester United who both have French and Brazilian players and have hopes of making the final.

Blatter, speaking after a FIFA executive committee meeting at Claridges in London, said clubs or players would not be subjected to disciplinary proceedings if they did not turn up for the game.