Premier League agree on winter break

The English Premier League tonight voted in favour of the principle of introducing a winter break during the football season.

Chairmen from the top flight gave the green light to a two-year experiment whereby there will be a two-week break in January – as long as a balanced fixture schedule can be formulated and all the practical differences can be overcome.

If so, the experiment will begin next season, 2004-05, and continue for the following season before being reviewed.