English FA Backs UEFA's Nations League As 'Exciting' Development

UEFA's new Nations League competition, approved last week, has been hailed as an "exciting" development by the FA, according to Martyn Ziegler of the PA. FA General Secretary Alex Horne said that the new competition, which will also provide four qualification places for Euro 2020, "would give England some glamour ties against other top countries in Europe." UEFA confirmed the new competition at its Congress and the 54 European member countries will be split into four divisions, with England set to be in a top division of 12 to 16 teams along with Spain, Germany, Portugal, Italy and Holland (PA, 3/28). FIFPro said that it is concerned about the added strain the Nations League will place on the world's top players. One of the conditions is that there will be no increase in the amount of int'l matches on the calendar. FIFPro Dir of Player Services Tijs Tummers said, "It should be clear that there is a difference in a friendly match and a competitive match" (FIFPro).