ENGLISH football’s first winter break has come a step closer after amateur game chiefs voiced no opposition to the proposals.
FA chief executive Martin Glenn has pushed for an agreement which would see players taking time off every February from the 2019-20.
That season’s FA Cup fourth round, scheduled for the end of January, will be the starting point for the break.
The following weekend, only 10 of the 20 Prem clubs would be in action, with the other 10 playing their games a week later, meaning all top flight players would get a minimum 13 days off.
EFL games would not be affected, allowing fans to keep up their weekly football fix.
In order to make up the shortfall in available weekends, the FA Cup fifth round will be moved to a midweek date after the two week window but played to a finish on the night.
Third and fourth round replays will remain, while the EFL Cup semi-finals will remain two-legged affairs.
Premier League chiefs have factored a so-called “split weekend” into the new three-year television deal that will start in 2019-20.
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While the Council has no real power – and no formal vote was taken – amateur representatives could have signalled their unhappiness.
There had been an expectation of grumbles after the FA, Premier League and EFL worked together in drafting the outline proposals.
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But instead there was a general agreement that the benefits for the England team, especially in tournament years, made the idea an overdue change.
The FA are expected to make a formal joint announcement with Prem chiefs before the end of the season.
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