17 Jun 2010Wayne Rooney calls for winter break

Football Leagues/ Association and Governance | Football Referees, Players, Managers and Media

England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has expressed support for the idea of a winter break during the English Premier League season and suggested fixture congestion could be harming the national side.

The squad's preparations for this summer's FIFA World Cup have been blighted by injury - with Rooney himself carrying a knock into the tournament - and the 24-year-old admitted to the Telegraph that English football is particularly challenging.

"It's a long old season, that's for sure," he explained. "I'd certainly welcome a break just after Christmas, at the start of January, when we have one FA Cup game and [an English Premier League] game in 14 days."

However, an FA spokesman told the newspaper the increased number of matches in the UEFA Champions League and Europa League would make it "difficult" to implement any such change.

Last season, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson also urged English football's governing bodies to consider introducing a winter break.

Written by Mark Thompson

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