ZURICH (AP) ― FIFA wants to abolish international exhibition games in February and August in a move that will appease European clubs.

FIFA has announced a proposed calendar from 2015-18, although no specific dates were listed for such games.

The suggested calendar calls for national teams to play two games each March, September, October and November, plus June in odd-numbered years, and for the vast majority for European national teams the matches will be qualifiers for the World Cup and the European Championship.

Clubs are obliged to release their players for calendar matches. They have lobbied FIFA to abolish the one-game only exhibition dates.

FIFA’s executive committee must approve the calendar at a March 29-30 meeting.

English FA considers at least three

LONDON (AP) ― At least three managers are on England’s shortlist and its soccer association could appoint Fabio Capello’s successor to coach the national team as soon as next month.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is the leading contender to lead England into the European Championship in June, but the Football Association is now willing to allow its new coach to start after the tournament if that is a deal-breaker.

The FA seemed to be publicly embarrassed during its search for new coaches in 2006 and 2007 when both Luiz Felipe Scolari and Jose Mourinho rejected the job.

But before any official approach is made this time, the FA hopes to discover privately whether its preferred candidate wants the job.