Article #9865

• Host countries limited to five ‘foreign’ matches a season

• Bar raised for clearance and Fifa would have right of veto

Domestic leagues would be limited to staging one game a season in foreign countries under Fifa proposals that significantly raise the bar for controversial “international matches” to be approved.

A new protocol, developed by a Fifa working group set up almost two years ago, would bring in clearer regulations to police the divisive issue and introduce strict limits.