The number of international matches played every year is likely to be slashed after European clubs and UEFA reached an agreement on proposals to change the calendar.

The deal, which has still to be agreed with FIFA, would see an average of nine internationals played a year rather than 12.

There will be nine double-headers over a two-year period with no one-off friendlies such as England’s match against Holland tonight.

The compromise deal was announced at the European Clubs’ Association (ECA) general assembly in Warsaw yesterday.

UEFA also agreed to take out insurance to cover the wages of all players injured on international duty, starting at Euro 2012, and to increase the amount of money paid to clubs for their players taking part in the tournament.

The amount was €55 million for the last tournament and the new figure will be announced next month.

ECA chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirmed, however, that the clubs’ boycott on talks with FIFA still stands.

Rummenigge said: “The agreement with UEFA is a major breakthrough. With this agreement, UEFA clearly recognises the importance of clubs and the significant contribution they make to the success of national team football.

“Negotiations have not always proved easy, but were always conducted in a fair and respectful manner. I thank UEFA, in particular president Michel Platini, on behalf of all European clubs and look forward to our continued cooperation.

“This is once more a proof that in the European football family solutions can be found in a co-operative and fair way.”

He added: “While an agreement has been reached with UEFA, the situation remains unsatisfactory in relation to FIFA. Unfortunately, discussions with the FIFA president have failed to lead to a satisfactory outcome which takes account of the clubs’ demands.”

The agreement on the proposals of the international calendar would see the unpopular friendly date in August ditched.

An ECA statement added that in future the clubs will have a ‘referral right’, meaning they have to give their consent to all decisions affecting European club football.

The clubs have, however, been unable to persuade UEFA to back them in their opposition to the timing of the African Nations Cup which is played in January and February.