Blatter still opposed to PL extra match

FIFA president Sepp Blatter couldn't resist taking another shot at the English Premier League's plan for a 39th match, taking place overseas.

Blatter scoffed at the thought that the league was trying to showcase its brand of football in areas deprived of top-tier matches and instead insinuated that it was a ploy for more money.

Blatter said the league could conduct clinics abroad if they desired to help other nations. Playing matches was not a big help. He also mentioned that, after taking part in international competitions, another match, this one played overseas, would exhaust them.

The head of the governing body also was lobbying for his home-grown quotas for clubs after European leaders seemed to feel that it would violate work laws.

"The plan is a nonsense," said Blatter. "If the Premier League wants to help develop football in these countries, they should do so by sending coaches and players. What they are trying to do with the 39th match will benefit no one but themselves.

"And it upsets the entire calendar. The players take part in cups and other competitions, and on top of that they send players to the various national teams. Then they will talk of players facing an exhausting schedule. You can't ask for a reduction in the demands made on players and then want to expand. "We have already seen too many incidences of heart problems and other serious medical conditions among players. Now the Premier League want to expand and intensify the pressure on players."

Source: euFootball.BIZ © Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved.