The FA and the Premier League have started to look at how next season could be adapted to give Capello the maximum amount of time with his players ahead of the World Cup in South Africa.
However, Premier League clubs have already voiced their disapproval. They fear that the proposed early start to the season would not give their players a long enough break and they are reluctant to concede any ground.
FIFA rules state the 2009/10 campaign must finish on May 16, 2010, with the Champions League final on May 22 the only exception, which would allow Capello four weeks with his squad before the start of the tournament.
Keen to accommodate Capello’s needs and help the World Cup bid, the Premier League have looked at the possibility of moving next season forward by a week and kicking off the campaign on August 8.
But having got wind of that idea, some clubs have suggested the Premier League and the FA come up with a new plan.
Apart from worries over player fatigue, lucrative pre-season tours would also be affected by the Premier League’s proposal – another factor that is thought to be heavily influencing the clubs’ position.
This season’s Premier League finishes on May 24. The Champions League final takes place on May 27 and the FA Cup finalists will meet three days later.
There is also the prospect of players taking part in the Under-21 European Championship finals – some of whom could be part of the senior World Cup squad as well – which runs for
a fortnight next summer.
A club versus country row erupted over the validity of this week’s friendly against Germany, with a number of first-team players pulling out through injury and Theo Walcott suffering a dislocated shoulder while on duty.
The initial reluctance of clubs to help his cause will shock Capello, who has seen the Italian league season moved forward in the past to aid the national team ahead of a major tournament.
England’s friendly against Spain in February looks as though it will be staged in Valencia following the decision to play it outside Madrid.
The FA insisted the game should be played away from the Bernabeu following the racist abuse hurled at England players Ashley Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips in 2004.
Others venues, including Seville, had been considered, but it is understood Valencia is now the favoured choice for next year’s match.
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