News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Home  » Sports » Blatter wants 16-team national leagues

Blatter wants 16-team national leagues

March 03, 2006 11:21 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

FIFA president Sepp Blatter believes top national leagues should be cut to 16 teams to give players more rest.

"Having 16 teams in every national league would be ideal," said Blatter in an interview with German daily Bild.

"The market and the players cannot sustain so much football in the long run."

The Bundesliga has 18 teams while 20 teams play in the English Premier League and France's Ligue 1.

Blatter said FIFA should force leagues to cut the number of teams and the issue should be discussed in 2007.

"We have to cut down on league games to get a better balance between club football and internationals as well as more recovery time for the players," Blatter said.

"A lot of clubs are also in favour of such a move. But they say FIFA has to order it -- otherwise it will never happen. They can have it if they want."

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

India In Australia 2024-2025