LONDON: FIFA president Sepp Blatter has opposed plans by the Premier League to play matches abroad and warned that the proposal could harm England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup.

"This is abuse. The rich Premier League is trying to get richer and wants to expand the importance of that league," the head of world soccer's governing body told the BBC on Thursday.

"This does not take into consideration the fans of the clubs and it gives the impression that they just want to go on tour to make some money."