A two-week winter break is to be introduced into the Premier League football season, beginning during the 2019-20 campaign, bosses have announced.

The February break will be staggered, with five Premier League matches one weekend during that period, and five the next.

To make the plan work, FA Cup fifth-round matches will be played midweek, and be settled on the night through extra time and penalties.

In a statement on its website, the Premier League said it, the Football Association and English Football League (EFL) had reached agreement on the issue.

Discussions have been going on for "several months", Premier League executive chairman Richard Scudamore said.


FA chief executive Martin Glenn described it as a "significant moment for English football" that will "greatly benefit both club and country".

Image: The move has been hailed a 'significant moment for English football'

The 72 clubs in the EFL will continue to play a full programme on each of the weekends when Premier League players are taking a break.

A winter layoff for EFL clubs was "currently impractical even if it was desirable", EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey said.

There are 46 games per season in the EFL, compared to 38 in the Premier League.

The EFL also has to accommodate end-of-season playoffs.

"It's no secret that we have a very congested fixture calendar and over recent years we have been working with the whole game to find a solution," Mr Glenn said.

"Today's announcement proves that football can come together for the good of the game.

"We have also found a way to give the players a much needed mid-season break, whilst keeping the much-loved Christmas schedule in place."