LONDON — FIFA president Sepp Blatter has opposed plans by
the Premier League to play matches abroad and warned the proposal could harm
England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup.
"This is abuse. The rich Premier League is trying to get
richer and wants to expand the importance of that league," the head of world
soccer’s governing body said on Thursday.
"This does not take into consideration the fans of the clubs
and it gives the impression that they just want to go on tour to make some
money."
England’s top 20 clubs have agreed to play league matches
overseas from the 2010-11 season under a proposal unveiled by the Premier
League last week.
The fixtures, planned to be staged over one weekend in
January in cities which had bid for the hosting rights, would extend the league
season to 39 matches per club from 38.
"When it comes to a decision of the executive committee
concerning this matter of the 39th round, and I am sure they will be against
it, then it will not have a positive impact on the bid from England for the
World Cup in 2018," Blatter added.
Blatter rejected claims by Premier League chief executive
Peter Scudamore that FIFA could not stop the plan if the clubs received the
go-ahead from England’s Football Association.
"It is not true," he said. "Even if the FA did sanction it, all the national
associations receiving these clubs would have to sanction it also. This will be
very difficult."
