2018 'not in danger'

Premier League chief Richard Scuadamore has said that he does not think the idea to take the Premiership global will have affected England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup.

"We were told we would have the opportunity to talk to the FIFA president about our proposal," he said. "I do not see how there can be speculation about the possible impact on the 2018 World Cup campaign until this meeting has taken place."

Scudamore is also determined to meet Blatter face to face to put across the advantages of the plans.

"I want to explain the reasons for this proposal to Mr Blatter because I do not think, on the information he will have received so far, he has been given a chance to understand it, or what benefits there would be for the game in England and beyond," he told The Times.

"I am not sure he knows the wealth we generate beyond our league, such as the 124 million pounds that filters down through the game over here."