LAUSANNE, Switzerland European soccer's governing body UEFA said on Friday, it will urge FIFA to reduce the number of days clubs are required to release players for international duty ahead of the 2002 World Cup.

Under current FIFA rules, clubs must release players 14 days prior to the May 31 kickoff of the 2002 World Cup, to be jointly hosted by Japan and South Korea.

UEFA has asked that the number of days are reduced to 11 since some of the European leagues, including the English Premier League could still be playing.

"We have sent a letter to FIFA asking them to reconsider the number of days for releasing players for the 2002 World Cup," said UEFA chief executive Gerhard Aigner.

"The situation was aggravated by FIFA when they moved the start of the World Cup forward one day eliminating one Saturday from the leagues.

"We have no other choice but to approach FIFA and ask them to make an allowance to make players available 11 days before the start instead of 14."

Aigner said, FIFA had already rejected a proposal that would require teams to release to their respective national teams two weeks prior to each country's opening game.

"That way only France would have to have their players released 14 days before the start of the tournament," said Aigner. "But FIFA has insisted that all players be there for the start of the tournament.

"But we hope FIFA will now try to understand the situation."

(Reuter)