'Astonished' Blatter condemns Scudamore plan as an insult

There, in a first-floor meeting room somewhat sparse compared to the extravagant marble-and-steel mix elsewhere in the FIFA palace, Blatter did his demolition job on 'Project Scudamore' in just 40 minutes.

Scroll down for more

When Blatter had finished talking to a handful of English journalists — which proved to be just the starting gun for his offensive against the menace of the Premier League across all media platforms — it was apparent that Scudamore's proposed International Round was no more.

And with zero chance of the FIFA president or his lieutenants across world football changing their minds, Scudamore will have to throw in the towel well over three years earlier than the intended kick-off to the 10 Premier League games in five overseas cities in January 2011.

Blatter began by saying: 'On the one side I would say I am astonished, but definitely not surprised after working now for 33 years in football. Yet it is shattering.

'Definitely we are out of any social responsibility as far as the English Premier League is concerned. When football is the most popular movement in the world, everyone should assume their responsibility. The Premier League says it is the best league in the world, then it should also take more responsibility.

'To try to grasp additional exposure and revenue by expanding the league around the world, is not acceptable and it will not be acceptable to the FIFA executive committee.'

Blatter could not believe what he was reading in the media, having not been consulted until a letter from Scudamore arrived on Thursday.

The FIFA chief said: 'I thought the appeal to Manchester United by the Asian Football Confederation last year — over their plans to play pre- season in Malaysia — was enough to not start again. But I wonder if the clubs are really in favour or not.

'What about the supporters? If there are additional matches then the fans in England should have the right to attend these matches.'

And Blatter, in expansive mocking mode, continued: 'Now these same teams and the same league are arguing that there are suddenly enough dates available for players to recover from all those painful championships and European competitions.

'Now all of a sudden they have time to travel around the world. Do they think about the health of these players?

'I come back to responsibility. It makes no sense.

'If you are in the organisation of football and you believe football is organised in a pyramid, and if everybody speaks about responsibility and solidarity, then I cannot understand this movement.

'According to the statutes and regulations, it is said very clearly that if you want to play any match in a foreign territory outside the country where the teams are from, you need the authorisation of that association.'

And in a clear warning that the repercussions could be lasting Blatter added: 'England will not be the only (2018) World Cup bidder, and I cannot imagine that when you go against the deciding body for the decision on the World Cup you will enhance your chances with an initiative that will not be accepted by this body. It will not be diplomatic.'

Blatter also poured scorn on the way the Premier League is dominated by just four clubs.

'The Premier League is certainly making a lot of money, but don't forget it is composed of four teams playing for the title and 16 teams playing not to be relegated. This is a fact.

'One should not overdo it. If you do something too much then it will collapse. This is overdone.'

And he fired one last broadside at Rupert Murdoch's ever-growing dominance of the football TV market worldwide.

Blatter said: 'The wedding between TV and football has been profitable to football. But there must somewhere be a limit. If they are partners, then they should also feel it is not right if it is only Fox and Sky and a Murdoch organisation who have the TV football pictures.

'Mr Murdoch should consider if he is stripping the shirt a little bit too much.

'If you're in a partnership, you should respect the other, otherwise you are not a partner.

'Football cannot be like the Harlem Globetrotters or a circus. You must keep the national identity of the clubs. Football is not a show.'