The Premier League’s controversial plan for an “international round” of matches appeared to be scuppered last night when Sepp Blatter, the Fifa president, gave it an unequivocal thumbs-down. “This does not take into consideration the fans of the clubs and it gives the impression that they [the clubs] just want to go on tour to make some money,” Blatter, who added that the proposal could have a damaging effect on England’s bid to stage the 2018 World Cup, said. “This will never happen, at least as long as I am the president of Fifa.”

The 20 top-flight clubs have voted to consider a scheme to extend the season to 39 games from the 2010-2011 season, with the extra matches taking place in cities such as Tokyo and Los Angeles. But the idea has been savagely criticised by confederations, national associations and supporters and Blatter’s opposition seems likely to strangle the concept at birth.

There was even the first sign of opposition from within the ranks of the Premier League yesterday when Rafael Benítez, the Liverpool manager, launched an outspoken attack and seemed to imply that his club were also opposed to the idea.

Blatter said: “The Premier League is richer than the others, they have more responsibility and what they are trying to do is contrary to this responsibility. This is something I cannot understand and definitely the Fifa executive committee will not sanction such an initiative.”

Richard Scudamore, the Premier League chief executive, had expressed his belief that Fifa could not interfere if the clubs got the go-ahead from the Football Association, but Blatter rejected that claim. “It is not true,” he told the BBC. “Even if the FA did sanction it, all the national associations receiving these clubs would have to sanction it also. This will be very difficult.

“This is abuse. The rich Premier League is trying to get richer and wants to expand the importance of that league.”

As far as the 2018 World Cup is concerned, “when it comes to a decision of the executive committee concerning this matter of the 39th round, and I am sure they will be against it, then it will not have a positive impact on the bid from England”, Blatter said.

“I support the fans 100 per cent. If I was a fan in England I would say, ‘No, please play at home and don’t go and exercise your talents abroad.’ If the plan includes official league matches then, as a fan, I would protest against this.” Fifa will examine the proposals at its executive committee meeting on March 14.

Benítez said that he had spoken to Rick Parry, the Liverpool chief executive, and that “we think the idea is not the best”. As well as his opposition to domestic games being played abroad and the departure from the “home and away” formula, Benítez is against the prospect of the top five clubs being seeded — a surprise given that his team may be one of those to benefit.

“I don’t like it,” Benítez said. “I think to play another game in another country is not right for this competition. You must play here in England with the same opportunities for everyone. The seeding idea is the reason I don’t like it. It’s important to give everyone the same opportunities.

“If it’s just about money, you can organise a tournament in Hong Kong with the top four if you want and you’ll have the money that you want, but to change the competition in this way is not fair. It’s not a good idea and I don’t think it’s a solution for anyone.”