UEFA opposes FIFA’S new competition plans

UEFA AND EUROPEAN CLUBS ARE OPPOSED TO FIFA’S PROPOSED CLUB WORLD CUP AND GLOBAL VERSION OF NATION’S LEAGUE

BERN: European soccer clubs, leagues and governing body UEFA have reiterated their opposition to FIFA’S plans for two new competitions, labelling them “unacceptable” in their current form.

Following a meeting of UEFA’S Professional Football Strategy Council (PFSC), they said they were “adamant” that new competitions must be discussed only as part of talks on the international match calendar from 2024 onwards.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has proposed the creation of a new 24-team Club World Cup, held every four years, and a global version of UEFA’S Nations League. He wants the tournaments to start in 2021.

The FIFA President said his plans, first put forward at a FIFA Council meeting in Bogota last March, were backed by an investment consortium willing to put in $25 billion over a 12-year cycle in return for 49 percent ownership of the competitions.

UEFA has said throughout that it needs more information, particularly on the identity of the investors.

“UEFA, ECA (the European Club Association) and European Leagues were adamant that the current proposals are unacceptable as they stand,” they said following a meeting of the PFSC on Monday at UEFA’S lakeside headquarters.