Triesman: Has four concerns

Whatever is proposed must not damage the domestic competitions or prospects of the national team

Lord Triesman
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FA chairman Lord Triesman is wary of the implications of an 'international round' of fixtures.

The Premier League outlined the idea last month for each top-flight club to play an additional fixture in a foreign city from the 2010/11 season.

The proposal has already been criticised by a number of managers, while Fifa president Sepp Blatter has also voiced his opposition.

And Triesman's concerns centralise around four key areas, which include the potential harm the plans may have on England's 2018 World Cup bid, fixture congestion and the impact on the fortunes of the national team.

Damage

"Firstly, I have been very clear from the beginning that whatever is proposed must not damage the domestic competitions or prospects of the national team," he said.

"Fixture congestion is a real issue, and I have not seen solutions to this yet.

"Secondly, I am quite clear that the relationships with international bodies have to be sustained - not just because of England's bid for the 2018 World Cup, although that is very significant for us and it would be foolish of anyone to pretend that it is not.

"Harmonious relationships with the international bodies are vital, and there is no point flying in the face of that.

"Thirdly, there has to be a real sense of comfort among the whole football family - fans included - that it is a viable and credible proposal.

Answers

"Fourthly, people should feel that whatever happens does not induce the kind of unfairness that may mean that their side - which is perhaps fighting relegation - has a third game against a side which would probably do them some damage in the average encounter.

"All these are issues to which we have so far have not had sustainable answers, and some of that discussion will still have to happen."