FIFA backs four-week World Cup break
The England head coach made a personal plea to FIFA president Sepp Blatter last month asking for extra time to allow players to recover from the domestic season before the competition in Germany.
UEFA have agreed to move the Champions League final forward a week to May 17, 2006, and all domestic football must finish on May 14, leaving four weeks until the start of the World Cup on June 9.
However, Eriksson may have to sacrifice his hopes of a winter break in English football, while other countries will have to give up the international friendly date in April - a fixture the English FA have stopped using.
Blatter told a news conference in Zurich: “To protect players from burn-out, in particular during the next major competition, everyone has agreed it is possible to come to this solution. We have to make some amendments to the calendar to make sure players are not tired.”
In another move to lessen demands on the top players, Europe and South America will not be required to field their reigning champions in the Confederations Cup from 2009, the competition that is used as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup.
Blatter also announced a review of the men’s Olympic football tournament that could lead to teams no longer being allowed to field three players over the age limit of 23.
He said: “Gabriel Heinze played for the champions Argentina in the Olympics and in the Copa America before that and is now a key player for Manchester United, but Roberto Ayala and Kily Gonzalez did the same and have been out for practically two- and-a-half months because they were tired or injured. We have to take care of the game.”
Blatter also rebuked Chelsea and Coventry for their “unacceptable” behaviour over releasing players for internationals.
Chelsea’s Adrian Mutu is in conflict with his club after manager Jose Mourinho claimed he was injured and unable to play for Romania - the striker since declared himself fit and travelled to play the Czech Republic.
Coventry have also provoked Blatter’s wrath by warning Stern John he may lose his place if he travels to play for Trinidad and Tobago.
Blatter said: “This is not the way for coaches to deal with players who are called up for their national team.
“The player Mutu is in an open conflict with his coach Mourinho, who has forbidden him to play for Romania, saying he is injured, and Mutu says this is not true.
“Stern John has been asked to play for T&T and has been threatened by his coach Peter Reid that if he goes to play he may lose his position.
“We cannot accept this happening at a time when we are trying to find a workable situation with the international calendar.
“We will write to the clubs involved and ask for fair play.”
Other decisions taken by FIFA at their executive committee included a review of the age limit of 45 for referees - Blatter is keen to have the limit scrapped and replaced by fitness tests.
Meanwhile, fines of £4,000 were imposed on the Italian and Dutch FAs, and £6,500 on the French federation, for failing to adhere to FIFA’s basic stipulation of a six-month ban plus a fine for doping offenders. FIFA also warned that harsher sanctions would be imposed if they failed to follow the guidelines in future.
A decision on whether players should be booked for lifting their shirt over their face during goal celebrations has been passed to the International FA Board and will not be dealt with until February.
Everton’s Tim Cahill was recently sent off for a second caution after such an offence, a decision since criticised by Blatter.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
