LONDON - The English Football Association have expressed "serious reservations" about the Premier League proposal to play an extra round of fixtures abroad.
The governing body will discuss the matter fully at a scheduled board meeting next Thursday, and have insisted they believe the proposal - which has been criticised by FIFA president Sepp Blatter - has not yet harmed England's 2018 World Cup bid.
However, they are clearly mindful of the detrimental impact which could be caused by a decision to press ahead with the idea in the face of opposition from FIFA and the game as a whole.
Earlier this month it was announced that Premier League clubs had unanimously agreed to further examine a proposal which would create a new round of 10 competitive fixtures to be played across the world over one weekend in January, beginning in the 2010-11 season.
Blatter said on Thursday: "This will never happen - at least this will not happen as long as I am the president of FIFA."
The FA statement, released to PA Sport on Friday, said: "The Football Association has listened carefully to the comments made by FIFA President Sepp Blatter regarding the Premier League's proposal for an international round of fixtures.
"This proposal has generated a high level of debate both domestically and with the international football family. While the Football Association has given full consideration to views expressed by all parties, we must also make our own position on this subject clear.
"We can confirm that the Football Association did speak to FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke about this matter yesterday. We explained that while we had received a verbal summary on the subject, at this time we are not in possession of any detailed proposals from the Premier League to pass on to FIFA.
"It was also made clear to FIFA that the Football Association has some serious reservations about the proposal. We have a responsibility to the whole of English football and we have to consider any wider consequences and implications that this proposal may create."
The FA cited the importance of international relations as a major factor.
The statement continued: "As a national association we also recognise the authority of FIFA and its executive committee.
"We have heard the criticism from supporters and the objections raised by others in the worldwide football family.
"The Football Association has worked extremely hard for several years to improve our relationships and standing with FIFA and UEFA, and has largely succeeded.
"Clearly we do not want this extensive work to be damaged. We also do not want the Premier League's proposal to affect England's 2018 World Cup bid in any way. At this time, due to the Football Association's strong international relations, we do not believe it has.
"This matter will be discussed at the Football Association's scheduled board meeting which will take place next Thursday (February 21). This will provide an opportunity for the FA board to fully debate the subject as a group for the first time."
FA chairman Lord Triesman said: "I am determined that our international and domestic relations must be sustained at the highest level, and I will not countenance any damage to those relations."
Former sports minister Richard Caborn, figurehead for the 2018 campaign, said on Friday: "As the Prime Minister's ambassador for the 2018 World Cup, irrespective of the Premier League's proposals for an international round of matches and discussions between the English football authorities and FIFA, I will continue working with the English FA to put forward the strongest possible bid to bring the 2018 World Cup to this country."
FIFA will examine the proposals at their executive committee meeting on March 14 while UEFA president Michel Platini has already hit out at the idea.
Associations and officials in countries which could potentially stage overseas matches have given a distinctly lukewarm response while views are mixed in the English top flight.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez and chief executive Rick Parry are firmly opposed to the idea while Chelsea boss Avram Grant insists Blatter is wrong to say no to the Premier League proposal.
He said: "I understand Mr Blatter but to say no to this idea it is not the right thing. We need to check many things but to play abroad you need to make the fixtures right. If everything is right I don't see any negative things about this."
Former England captain David Beckham urged the Premier League to "ask the fans, ask the players and go from there".
