FIFA president Sepp Blatter believes top national leagues should be cut to 16 teams to give players more rest.
"Having 16 teams in every national league would be ideal," said Blatter in an interview with German daily Bild.
"The market and the players cannot sustain so much football in the long run."
The Bundesliga has 18 teams while 20 teams play in the English Premier League and France's Ligue 1.
Blatter said FIFA should force leagues to cut the number of teams and the issue should be discussed in 2007.
"We have to cut down on league games to get a better balance between club football and internationals as well as more recovery time for the players," Blatter said.
"A lot of clubs are also in favour of such a move. But they say FIFA has to order it -- otherwise it will never happen. They can have it if they want."
© 2024 Rediff.com -