Time for a break... Prem to get a mid-winter rest

THE Football Association (FA), Premier League and English Football League (EFL) have confirmed an annual mid-season break will be introduced from the 2019-20 season, writes Ian Mitchelmore.

The governing bodies worked together to introduce the break to help ease the pressure on clubs following usually hectic festive periods.

And after next season, a two-week break will take place every February, although games will still be played over that period.

Each weekend during the break will feature five Premier League matches on one weekend and the other five on the following.

Richard Scudamore, the outgoing Premier League cxecutive chairman, said: “We have been discussing the football calendar with the FA and EFL for several months, including ways we can work together to ease fixture congestion, keep the Premier League action going right through the season and provide a mid-season player break.

“We are very pleased to have an outcome that will include an exciting first for fans – a full fixture programme split over two weekends with all matches broadcast live in the UK.”

In addition to the league changes, it has been revealed that FA Cup fifth round replays will be scrapped from the 2019-20 season, with replays being replaced by extra time and penalties.

As part of the new initiative, the FA have agreed that FA Cup fifth round matches – usually played during when the break will take place – will take place in midweek.

“This is a significant moment for English football and one that we believe will greatly benefit both club and country,” Martin Glenn, FA chief executive, said.

“It’s no secret that we have a very congested fixture calendar and over recent years we have been working with the whole game to find a solution.

“Today’s announcement proves that football can come together for the good of the game. We have also found a way to give the players a muchneeded mid-season break, whilst keeping the much-loved Christmas schedule in place.

“As we head into summer international tournaments in the future we are sure that this mid-season break will prove to be a valuable addition for our players.”

All three divisions below – the Championship, League One and League Two – within the EFL will remain unchanged, with a full schedule for all 72 EFL clubs taking place on each of the weekends where there is a break.

Shaun Harvey, EFL chief executive, said: “It has been useful to have these positive discussions over the last few months and, as part of the conversations, we have been able to ensure that our requirements could be incorporated within any changes.

“We very much understand, and support, the requirement and wishes of our colleagues across the game to introduce a mid-season player break. We hope it will provide the appropriate recovery time for players and have the positive impact on player and team performance that it is designed to deliver.

“At the same time we must acknowledge that fixture congestion remains a challenge and with a 46-game season to complete, plus the play-offs inside a 10-month period, it is currently impractical even if it was desirable for the EFL to introduce a similar break in our competitions. We will look to showcase the Sky Bet EFL during the two-week period.”