Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein wants to introduce a three-week rest period in January to ease the demands on top-flight players.

But Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe believes the move would only benefit the top clubs - and be unfair on fans.

"The season shouldn't just revolve around the game's powerbrokers," said Lowe.

"Some clubs have a problem with fixture congestion but others among us find it perfectly acceptable.

"This would be selling the fans short. I'm sure many of them don't want a break during any part of the season. They're happy with the status quo.

"And let's not forget who pays the players' wages."

Lowe insists it would be wrong to introduce a plan which would be of most benefit to teams playing in Europe.

"The big clubs play extra games but their players get paid more to play those extra fixtures.

"Their clubs get more revenue and should therefore build bigger squads to make sure they are properly tooled for the job.

"We're forgetting about domestic football. That's what the fans really want to watch. Not the Champions League or Uefa Cup," Lowe told The Sun newspaper.

Lowe's views were echoed by Charlton's chief executive Peter Varney.

"There's a sub-plot here. It's the importance of the domestic league against European competition," said Varney.

And Birmingham chairman David Gold said: "The current system works - and my view is if it ain't broke, don't bother trying to fix it.

"Only six or eight of the top clubs have a problem with it. The rest are in good shape."