GLENEAGLES, Scotland (AFP) — FIFA president Sepp Blatter said Sunday he initially thought that English Premiership plans to stage a 39th game in Asia were "a joke" before realising those behind the idea were serious.
"I thought it was a joke to begin with," said Blatter.
"When I realised they were serious I was shocked. At federation and league meetings the English regularly implore us to reduce the number of matches ... then they bring out this 39th match to send the players to the other side of the world.
"It's just not serious," said Blatter, speaking at the International Board's meeting at Gleneagles of a concept which Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore described earlier this year as "an idea whose time has come" and "an exciting prospect."
Blatter also took aim at the increasing trend of foreign ownership of clubs, saying he had concerns about ongoing speculation regarding Liverpool's US owners.
"Liverpool is the best example of what not to do. There is always a risk with foreign investors. Before, it was the fashion to have a Formula One stable or horses. Today, it's buying a football club. But you have to be careful," Blatter said.
Having suggested in recent days that he would favour the introduction of artificial pitches, Blatter said that could be on the agenda for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, adding that "things are progressing well at the moment" regarding that event's preparations.
Asked about the pitch issue, Blatter said: "Yes, it's a possibility. Next year the Confederations Cup is over there and we will see how the (existing) pitches are.
"If there are problems, given that it won't be summer in South Africa, and if we judge that they (the pitches) are not good then it's possible that the 2010 World Cup will be played on artificial pitches."
Blatter said that when he and UEFA chief Michel Platini had checked out such a pitch in Russia Platini had said: "It's much better than I thought."
For Blatter, "these pitches are the future."
Having Friday called for lifetime bans and criminal charges to be brought against players found guilty of dangerous tackles Blatter repeated those comments on Sunday.
"I think it's normal for the victim to launch a complaint againt the person who has injured him. I also like the idea that the aggressor be suspended throughout the time the injured player is on the sidelines," Blatter added.
On racism in football, Blatter insisted that where fans had made racist insults the opposing club should simply be awarded the points.
Blatter also said he is determined to see a minimum of homegrown players at each club in what he calls the "six plus five" solution whereby at least five are homegrown.
"We want to put into place the six-plus-five. I think that would permit better balance in competitions," said Blatter, who believed such a strategy was "vital for football's future."
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