FA Plans To Implement Winter Break For Premier League In '19-20

FA CEO Martin Glenn reported the governing body will "go ahead" with plans to implement a midseason Premier League break "very soon," according to Shrivathsa Sridhar of REUTERS. Confirmation could reportedly "come next week." The FA, Premier League and English Football League are considering the "possibility of bringing their fixture schedule more in line with the top leagues in Germany, France, Italy and Spain." The break for Premier League teams "would be staggered over two weekends, with 10 teams playing one weekend and the other 10 the next weekend, giving each club a two-week rest from the competition" beginning with the '19-20 season. Glenn said that the winter break is a "much needed improvement" for clubs and the England team. There have been suggestions that "the lack of a break leaves Premier League players exhausted" for int'l competitions such as the World Cup (London DAILY MAIL, 5/30).