England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson and Executive Director David Davies will represent The FA, with the 20 Premier League Chairmen, Dave Richards (Chairman, FAPL) and Richard Scudamore (Chief Executive, FAPL) representing the FA Premier League.

The FA proposal is to implement a 13-day break comprising one week's holiday and six days' preparation. Though the date for the break would need to be agreed by all parties, a natural start point would be after The FA Cup Third Round early in January.

The introduction of such a break would benefit the entire professional game for the following reasons:

  • It would provide elite players with vital recuperation time, enabling them to cope with the demands of a rigorous season.

  • It would aid English clubs when they compete in the latter stages of European competitions.

  • It would ensure players are fresh for all domestic league and cup competitions at every stage of the season.

  • It would improve the England national team's ability to compete at major tournaments. (All the finalists of the last three European Championships - Denmark, Germany, Czech Republic, Italy, France - currently employ a mid-winter or mid-season break).

  • It would be beneficial in terms of player injuries, reducing the amount of time that clubs' players are unavailable.

  • It is not about the weather and therefore would not have to coincide with the coldest part of the year.

  • But it would allow time for the clubs' stadium pitches to recover during the season, reducing the amount of money spent replacing damaged playing surfaces.

England is currently in the minority in European football. At least 30 of the 48 UEFA countries outside of the UK employ a mid-season or mid-winter break. Every other major league (Germany, Italy, Spain, France) does this.

There is large-scale support among Premiership coaches for a mid-season break. In recent weeks, several leading coaches have made their opinions clear.

Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United: "[The Christmas period] is a really hectic spell and what we should be looking at is having a break in January."

Arsene Wenger, Arsenal: "I feel Sven is completely determined to get a winter break, which I can understand as it is linked to success for the national team at tournaments. I think we can find an agreement between a respect for tradition and introducing a break somewhere."

Gerard Houllier, Liverpool and former Technical Director of the French FA: "This is the only country where there is no winter break. I believe we should keep the Christmas tradition of football over that period and New Year because it is special, with families taking children to games.

"But then we should have a break of two weeks after that. And not just the top clubs.

"It would also be beneficial for the national team. I am looking forward to England winning something, whether that is the World Cup or the European Championship. But you need to give yourselves a chance for that."

Ahead of today's meeting, FA Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore stated: "I've been presented with evidence by Sven and others.

"They make a compelling case for the physical and psychological benefits of some sort of break in the middle of the season.

"It's whether it can be practically done, because we have a very tight calendar."

TheFA.com will keep you updated with the latest on this story.

 

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