FIFA to scrap Aug friendlies

World governing body FIFA said it had made progress on streamlining the international match calendar on Monday, saying it would recommend a UEFA-backed plan that would abolish unpopular international friendlies in August.
A working group from international confederations, players, clubs and professional leagues met at FIFA's headquarters in Zurich to discuss the post-2014 calendar.
The proposals include a maximum of 18 international matches per nation in a two-year cycle, split into nine double dates in March, September, October and November and every other June.
February friendlies, which are also unpopular because of the crowded domestic schedules at that time, would also have no place in the proposed new calendar.