FIFA’s request to suspend all rival codes for at least a month in order to host a World Cup in Australia has been met with widespread criticism.

NRL clubs have threatened a revolt to suggestions that the league should shut down during July should Australia win the rights to the 2018 World Cup.

Under a FIFA ruling, all rival codes must be suspended for the duration of the four-week tournament, while major grounds, including the ANZ Stadium and the Suncorp Stadium, would be closed to NRL clubs for a month before the World Cup even kicks off.

North Queensland boss Peter Parr labelled FIFA and the Australian Football Federation arrogant if they expected the rival football codes to shut down at the peak of their season.

He said: “It affects your team, your income, your cash flow, I imagine it would affect broadcasting agreements, it would affect interest in the code. I imagine there would be a lot of people in North Queensland, which is rugby league heartland, that would say why do we have to suspend our competition for a soccer tournament, albeit something as big as the World Cup. I just don’t see why you would do it. They wouldn’t get me to put my hand up to agree with it.”