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Too much domestic football, says Blatter

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-01-05 21:21

BERNE - FIFA president Sepp Blatter has said there is too much domestic football, potentially putting himself on a collision course with European clubs who last year complained about the international fixture list.

Blatter also said he wanted only professional referees to officiate at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

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"In my view, and this is something on which (UEFA president) Michel Platini agrees, domestic championships are too long because there are too many teams and too many matches," Blatter said in an interview posted on FIFA's website (www.fifa.com) on Wednesday.

"Teams in leagues with 20 clubs play 38 games, on top of which they also have national cup competitions and league cups, etc.

"This also creates a conflict of interest between national teams and clubs, some of whom complain that their players come back tired or injured. That's not the fault of the international calendar, however, and it's a subject that ought to be discussed."

Blatter said he was determined to ensure only professional referees at the 2014 World Cup.

"That's a target we have to reach," he said. "Coaches are professional now and so are players, and there's no reason why referees shouldn't be either.

"Some people say there's not enough money to pay them, but there always seems to be plenty in the professional leagues."