FIFA backs four-week World Cup break

SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON’S campaign for a four-week break before the start of the 2006 World Cup achieved victory yesterday when FIFA announced plans to minimise player burn-out during the tournament.

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.