Soccer News of Friday, 17 June 2011

Source: FIFA

Fifa rules out fixture additions to football calendar

Fifa says its does not intend to add up to the number of international match dates as reported in the media.

The world governing body today issued a statement, coming in the wake of reports that it plans to introduce five more international friendly dates into football calendar.

"Contrary to what has been published in a newspaper today, FIFA is not looking to increase the number of international match dates by five or at anything related to a 17-game international season," Fifa said in a statement.

Reports said, Fifa had held internal discussions on the insertion of five extra friendly matches into seasons when World Cups and European Championships do not take place. The move would have raised the total number of international dates from 12 to 17.