FIFA hits back at plans to cut internationals

A war of words broke out between FIFA and top European clubs yesterday after a move that could see the number of internationals played each year slashed.

The European Clubs’ Association (ECA) and UEFA have reached an agreement on proposals to change the international calendar, but the clubs are still refusing to talk to FIFA, who have the ultimate power over the number of matches.

The agreement would see an average of nine international matches played a year rather than 12, with nine double-headers over a two-year period and no one-off friendlies and the August friendly date scrapped.

It is a compromise solution announced at an ECA general assembly in Warsaw on Tuesday.

FIFA pointed out that only they have the power to make changes to the calendar.

A statement said: “FIFA is surprised by recent comments made by ECA stating that they are not satisfied with their discussions with football’s world governing body regarding topics of interest to the European clubs, including the international match calendar.

“FIFA would like to recall that the international match calendar have to be applied on a worldwide basis and that this calendar is ultimately regulated by FIFA.”

The next meeting to discuss the international match calendar will be on Monday.

FIFA added: “Both ECA chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and ECA general secretary Michele Centenaro are members of this working group and have been invited to attend the meeting, but have declined to take part.

“ECA representatives have previously declined attendance to other FIFA committee meetings, making it very difficult for progress to be made in discussions with the European clubs.”

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

UEFA’s general secretary Gianni Infantino, said: “With this renewed agreement that for the first time will cover insurance for players registered with European clubs not only are we looking after the players, the clubs and the national associations, but we are also demonstrating a true respect and unity with our fellow football confederations.

“We are therefore extremely happy with the announcement of this renewed agreement with the ECA and we are equally confident that our calendar proposition will be approved by FIFA, who have always maintained dialogue with us on this matter.”