Premier League clubs have agreed to a six-week winter break next season to accommodate the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Premier League clubs, including Leeds United, are reported by Sky Sports as having agreed to pause the 2022/23 season following matches on the weekend of November 12 in 2022, before resuming on Boxing Day.
The break would give players a week to prepare with their national teams before the start of the World Cup in Qatar. With the final scheduled for December 18, any player involved until the end would also have a week to recover.
The Premier League will also start earlier in the 2022/23 season, beginning on August 6, before finishing in May but later than usual. The FA Cup has also had to adjust, being shifted back into June from its usual May.
Executives from all 20 clubs are reported to have been in London yesterday for a meeting where the schedule for 2022/23 was discussed and agreed, along with other issues causing trouble to the top-tier clubs.
Another matter discussed was Covid-19 and the government's winter plan, which includes a contingency for using Covid passports if deemed necessary. Clubs have been encouraged to carry out spot checks on vaccinations status or test status, and staff and players have also been encouraged to get vaccinated.
The so-called European Super League was also reportedly discussed, with a plan on how to address future moves, though agreement is apparently still to be reached.
