Blatter wants summer Africa cup
Sepp Blatter is on a collision course with Caf over his radical proposals
Friday, 18, Jan 2008 09:25
Fifa president Sepp Blatter has revealed he wants to change the timing of the African Cup of Nations.
The tournament kicks off on Sunday in Ghana, featuring 40 players from the Premier League.
The Confederation of African Football (Caf) insist the tournament cannot be played in the summer because of the sweltering heat.
But Blatter said in eight years time the African Cup of Nations would be held in June and July like other major tournaments.
"This is a tradition, but one should have now the courage to go into the international calendar and see if it's not possible to deal with it," Blatter said.
"We put a target for 2016 that by that time the international calendar must be definitely in accordance with the interests of everybody."
Blatter said the tournament would also be played in years ending with odd numbers to avoid clashing with the World Cup.
The news will be a relief to Premier League bosses who have long complained that the three-week tournament clashes with a vital part in the season.
Chelsea will lose Didier Drogba, Jon Obi Mikel, and Salomon Kalou while Arsenal will be without Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue.
The final of the African Cup of Nations takes place on Sunday February 10th.