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The FA, as a national association, is a member of Fifa and the world governing body is writing to the Premier League to ask them to contact the FA and get them to arrange a meeting.

This may seem like nit-picking protocol but it indicates that while Fifa has said nothing about the proposal, many in the organisation are very lukewarm about it.

Normally, Fifa president is never too shy to come forward with comments on any aspect of football, or at times on issues which have nothing to do with the sport.

But on this occasion he has allowed two of his executive members, Michel Platini, head of European football's governing body and president Mohamed bin Hammam, to .

Blatter has decided to hold his fire until the Fifa executive committee meets in Zurich on 14 March.

But sources close to Blatter have told me they do not think much of the proposal.

They are also worried that the plan will reopen the whole question of the relationship between clubs and national associations, which Fifa thought had finally been put to rest with the agreement with the of Europe's most powerful clubs last month.

Fifa is also intrigued by reports saying the Premier League have received advice that they do not need to obtain its approval to go ahead with the plans.

Fifa does not hold that view and will argue strongly that any match which falls outside the accepted international match calendar requires its approval.

The meeting between Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore and Blatter, when it happens, should be interesting.

The matter is also sure to come up at a FA board meeting next week.

FA insiders tell me that nothing will be decided at that meeting and it will merely note what Scudamore is proposing. A decision seems a long way off.