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<H2></H2><SPAN>First Published: Dec 04, 2006</SPAN> <DIV class=pictureCaption style="FLOAT: left; WIDTH: 187px">
FIFA boss Joseph Blatter, seen here 01 December 2006, called for the European football calendar to be overhauled allowing clubs to play championship matches in the warmer summer months.</DIV>
FIFA boss Joseph Blatter called for the European football calendar to be overhauled allowing clubs to play championship matches in the warmer summer months.
"I've already proposed that clubs play in summer so that the season follows the calendar. You play in the summer during the two warmest months of the year and take a winter break," Blatter told the German bi-weekly Kicker magazine.
"The season would go from February to November. It would allow for a longer recuperation period and for qualification matches (European championships and World Cup) to be played in the winter.
"The big European clubs back this idea," explained the boss of world football's governing body.
Meanwhile, Blatter insisted that the complaint from major clubs that there were too many international matches "was a uniquely European problem".
"On all other continents there are pre-qualification matches, why not in Europe?" asked Blatter.
"That would mean that everyone has the chance to play against a big team."
Blatter added that he was in favour of an increase in qualification groups for the European championships.
"We have seven groups with seven teams and twelve matches for each participant," explained Blatter of the Euro 2008 qualifiers. "If we had twelve groups, there would be less of a problem."
FIFA boss Joseph Blatter, seen here 01 December 2006, called for the European football calendar to be overhauled allowing clubs to play championship matches in the warmer summer months.</DIV>
FIFA boss Joseph Blatter called for the European football calendar to be overhauled allowing clubs to play championship matches in the warmer summer months.
"I've already proposed that clubs play in summer so that the season follows the calendar. You play in the summer during the two warmest months of the year and take a winter break," Blatter told the German bi-weekly Kicker magazine.
"The season would go from February to November. It would allow for a longer recuperation period and for qualification matches (European championships and World Cup) to be played in the winter.
"The big European clubs back this idea," explained the boss of world football's governing body.
Meanwhile, Blatter insisted that the complaint from major clubs that there were too many international matches "was a uniquely European problem".
"On all other continents there are pre-qualification matches, why not in Europe?" asked Blatter.
"That would mean that everyone has the chance to play against a big team."
Blatter added that he was in favour of an increase in qualification groups for the European championships.
"We have seven groups with seven teams and twelve matches for each participant," explained Blatter of the Euro 2008 qualifiers. "If we had twelve groups, there would be less of a problem."
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