Sven calls for fewer teams, fewer games

England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson last night repeated his call for less football at the top level in England.

The Swede believes England’s chances of success at the highest level will be hit as long as the top level of the domestic game has 20 clubs.

Eriksson would like to see a reduction in teams, believing his players would turn up for international duty fresher as a result of playing fewer games.

He said: “We play more football than in any other country in Europe – it’s a long season.

“The league finished very late and we only had short preparation before the World Cup started. You can’t give the players a break.

“It’s something to talk about but I cannot decide – the game has to decide.

“You will always have tired players when we start a World Cup and European Championship campaign if we don’t change anything. I’m convinced about that.”