Blatter backtracks on deadline
By Tom Adams (Sky Sports News)
Fifa president Sepp Blatter has conceded that the deadline for naming final World Cup squads could be extended after protests from a number of high-profile managers.
All countries have to currently submit their final selection of 23 players by May 15, although this rule has met with some resistance in the international community.
Germany boss Jurgen Klinsmann has already made clear his dislike of the current deadline, and Sven Goran Eriksson also voiced a desire to force a change as he spoke on Tuesday before England's tie with Uruguay.
The Swede also suggested that Holland boss Marco van Basten was in agreement, and with a powerful lobby of bosses ready to raise their objections in a Fifa workshop in Dusseldorf next week, Blatter admits the deadline could yet be pushed back.
"That is not completely ruled out," Blatter told Bild.
"If that is now officially stated, then the Fifa organisation committee can debate it again in mid-March."
A number of international friendlies take place after the current date, and those managers involved in the World Cup will be keen to secure as much time as possible to shape their final travelling party for the competition in Germany.