Report Claims New Euro League To Improve Int'l Friendly Calendar In Works

Plans are at an advanced stage for a League of Nations football competition within Europe "to spice up the much-maligned friendly dates in the international calendar," according to Charles Sale of the London DAILY MAIL. The UEFA initiative, which is "expected to win support" from the 54 national associations, "will be further developed at the annual Congress in Kazakhstan next month," with a start date scheduled for '18 after the World Cup in Russia. The proposed League of Nations format, to be played over a two-year period with semifinals and final in a year without a major championship, "would see the 54 countries split into various leagues offering promotion, relegation and wild card places at Euro 2020."  England would expect to be in the top division of 12 countries, split into four groups of three to provide a last-four for the knockout stages (DAILY MAIL, 2/25).