April 19 – After years of debate and discussion, the Premier League finally looks set to follow much of continental Europe and introduce a winter break from the season after next.
Football’s authorities are planning a formal announcement before the end of this season after an agreement to play the fifth round of the FA Cup in midweek to accommodate the calendar change.
The break would be held in late January and early February 2020 and would allow all Premier League clubs to have at least 13 days off between games.
Unlike other European countries who have a complete shutdown of their top division in December, it would be staggered so there would be no weekend without Premier League football. It would only be for Premier League clubs and would not affect the traditional Christmas and New Year fixtures.
A final decision is yet to be reached but reports said talks are at an advanced stage. The FA has long argued in favour of a winter break based on the belief that it would help international players prepare for major summer tournaments like the World Cup and European Championship.
It is planned that the first break would be held before Euro 2020, at which Wembley Stadium will host seven matches including both semi-finals and the final.
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