March 6, 2012 - 15:17 AMT
FIFA to scrap international friendlies in Feb, Aug

FIFA wants to abolish international friendly matches in February and August, in a move that will appease European clubs, AP reported.

FIFA has announced a proposed calendar of international matches from 2015-18 after a meeting of world soccer stakeholders which was boycotted by the 200-member European Club Association.

The suggested calendar calls for double-header dates each March, September, October and November, plus June in odd-numbered years.

FIFA says the calendar has "no specific dates for friendlies".

FIFA's executive committee must approve the calendar at a meeting on March 29 and 30.

Clubs, which are obliged to release their players for calendar matches, have lobbied FIFA to abolish the one-off friendly dates.