Football's world governing body (FIFA) has made proposals ranging from limiting the number of football matches played each year, to the quality of referees and the adoption of a code of ethics.
FIFA's executive committee met at its headquarters in Zurich Wednesday and proposed that domestic football leagues stop play 25 days before the 2006 World Cup. That would allow players at least 8 days of rest and 17 days for training before the event gets under way in Germany on June 9 - an attempt to avoid player injuries and burnout.
Working parties were also assigned to examine the adoption of an ethics code, harmonizing international schedules and disciplinary sanctions, referee improvement, and changes to the women's World Cup schedule after 2007.
FIFA's executive committee will examine the proposals from the various working groups at its next meeting on December 18.