European Clubs Association boycotts talks with FIFAFebruary 25, 2012 - 17:47 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Europe's top clubs are to boycott talks with FIFA over changes to the international calendar. The European Clubs Association (ECA) says recent discussions with the world governing body have been "disappointing" and that they have turned down an invitation from FIFA to attend a summit on the calendar in Zurich on 5 March. The ECA spokesman Marc Schmidgall said: "We have had discussions with UEFA and we are close to finding a final agreement but talks with FIFA have been disappointing and we have decided not to attend FIFA meetings until further notice." The ECA is made up of 201 clubs including Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal, Aston Villa, Everton, Fulham, Newcastle, Tottenham, Celtic, Rangers, Hearts and Aberdeen. In September, the ECA called for the number of internationals a season to be slashed from 12 to six. The Manchester United chief executive, David Gill, an ECA board member, said last year the clubs were especially keen to get rid of international friendly dates in June and August. The ECA president, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who is also the Bayern Munich chief executive , has claimed clubs are sick and tired of losing players for "nonsense" fixtures, the Guardian reported. Top stories Armenian gymnast, Olympic bronze medalist Artur Davtyan has reached the finals of the World Cup. Gor Manvelyan has denied reports alleging that he has expressed a desire to one day play for the French national team. Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not considering FC Spartak Moscow as his next haven, according to fresh reports. 10 Armenian lifters will compete in the 2021 World Championships scheduled to be held from 7 to 17 December in Tashkent. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |