FIFA plan a 'non-starter' - Dein
Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein today warned FIFA president Sepp Blatter he will not be able to dictate the policy of the English Premier League.
Latter’s recent provocative remarks have made it clear he is ready to take on the 18-strong G14 collection of Europe’s most powerful clubs on a number of issues.
But Dein, also vice-chairman of the Football Association, claims the FIFA president he will not get his way when it comes to reducing the number of Premiership clubs from 20 to 16.
“As for Blatter wanting 16 clubs, the Premier League will not stand for it. It is a non-starter,” said Dein, who also voiced his concern on behalf of Arsenal and others over the dispersal of high-profile players to international competitions at times when they are required by their employers.
“Players want to play in the World Cup and the European Championship and we want them to – but not under the current system,” he told the Daily Express.
“The clubs are fed-up with the African Nations Cup where we will lose Kanu for a month, and Chelsea will lose Celestine Babayaro and Bolton Jay-Jay Okocha.”
