Winter Break

[Disco]

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11336411/english-football-winter-break-agreed-in-principle-for-2020

 

The FA, Premier League and EFL are close to agreement over the introduction of a winter break, Sky Sports News understands.

 

The FA council were being briefed on Wednesday on the progress of talks which were prompted by FA chief executive Martin Glenn almost two years ago.

 

Sky Sports News understands the majority of planned changes are agreed in principle - with the first break pencilled in for January and February in 2020.

 

If agreed, one round of Premier League matches would be played over two weeks, giving clubs a break from league action.

 

In return, the FA Cup fifth round will be played in midweek, with extra-time and penalties replacing replays.

 

It is also understood that some members of the FA council are unhappy they have not played a bigger part in negotiations, with talks having been carried out at board level.

 

Teams on a break from league action would be allowed to travel abroad for training camps.

 

However, money-making tours in the US or Far East would not be received so well.

[Fugazi]

Shite

[Tiresias]

Inevitable unfortunately but I think the grueling winter fixture congestion is one of the best things that distinguish the league. Hate managers who complain about it too, every club has to cope.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

I can probably live with it if it's not over Christmas. Christmas would be unbearable without football.

[simonsays]

Another move only thinking about premier league clubs.  The income receievd from FA cup replays can provide a massive boost for clubs in the lower leagues.  Think of poor Sunderland!

[Wilson]

Urgh.

[Guest firetotheworks]

Ugh. Stop ruining football.

[Andymc1]

I can probably live with it if it's not over Christmas. Christmas would be unbearable without football.

 

As long as they don't touch Xmas it might be bearable. Can't wait until they do this for "rest" though and then whisk squads off to the arse end of nowhere to play in friendly tournaments.

[Guest]

Great idea tbh.

[SEMTEX]

Aye I've no problem with this. Assuming they still play around Christmas and then piss off for a couple of weeks.

[Mikky]

They just need common sense during Christmas time - teams play like Sun - Tues - Fri - Tues then FA Cup - it's too much - just extend the season by a week

[SEMTEX]

But aye, it'll be fucking hilarious if Man Utd immediately whisk off to Shanghai to take on Real Madrid or some shit.

[tom1988]

Should play over christmas and then have the break in January. Have the break when the transfer window is open, then shut the window and bring back the footy.

[Guest]

They just need common sense during Christmas time - teams play like Sun - Tues - Fri - Tues then FA Cup - it's too much - just extend the season by a week

 

By the looks of it, that will stay unchanged. It'll just be one weekend in January where they don't play. Surprised it's taken so long to happen.

[Kimbo]

I went off the idea when we had that 3 week break, it was fucking awful.

[Ketsbaia]

It's barely a break, what's the point? Got to be at least 3 weeks, I reckon.

[Guest]

It's barely a break, what's the point? Got to be at least 3 weeks, I reckon.

 

One week where the don't have to prepare for a game, etc is massive. A few players have said so. Best example I've heard was Bellamy said there was a weekend in February where they were out of the cup. They went to Spain for a few days and came back fresher, closer together, and they went on a good run until the end of the season. He put that one week just as a way of recharging the main factor.

[Colos Short and Curlies]

Another move only thinking about premier league clubs.  The income receievd from FA cup replays can provide a massive boost for clubs in the lower leagues.  Think of poor Sunderland!

 

Ultimately though its the 5th round, realistically how many lower league clubs benefit at this stage?

 

Rather than relying on the luck of the draw to support lower league clubs I'd rather Premier League clubs give up a proportion of prize and TV money from the FA cup to be distributed to leagues 1 and below on an even basis

[Ketsbaia]

We had a 3-week gap in February and that was just for going out of the cup.

[Minhosa]

Any chance they can ram some fucking useless international friendlies in during this 'break'?

 

The flow of the season is interupted by these tossing games, so let's take the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone here.

[mrmojorisin75]

They just need common sense during Christmas time - teams play like Sun - Tues - Fri - Tues then FA Cup - it's too much - just extend the season by a week

 

By the looks of it, that will stay unchanged. It'll just be one weekend in January where they don't play. Surprised it's taken so long to happen.

 

yeah, get FA cup 3rd round out of the way then have a break

[Guest]

We had a 3-week gap in February and that was just for going out of the cup.

 

There was also an international week.

[Super Duper Branko Strupar]

Good idea about the PL break, bad idea about the FA cup.

[HaydnNUFC]

I assume it's scheduled for the week after FA Cup 3rd round weekend? Should just have a midweek game in August to make up for it. This for me is mainly because I hate the fact that you play 3 or 4 games in August before an international break, and then again in September and October. The start of a season is very stop-start.

[Stifler]

Not sure what good it’s going to do.

If your one of the fans who want a break then it’s usually because of the weather. Obviously you can’t predict when the snow storms are going to come. If your a pundit or manager wanting it then it’s because of the hectic Christmas schedule, this isn’t changing so again what’s the point?