Less is best for FIFA chief

THE head of FIFA wants fewer matches and tournaments after the coronavirus crisis is over.

FIFA’S president Gianni Infantino (above) refused to give a date for a return of football, insisting that health must comes first.

But the Swiss lawyer said it was a time for reflection and a chance to make reforms to a chaotic calendar.

“Surely everyone is ready to take a step back, like us,” he said.

“It’s difficult right now, we don’t know when it will return to normal.

“But we look at the opportunities.

“We can perhaps reform world football by taking a step back. With different formats, fewer tournaments, but more interesting.

“Maybe fewer teams, but more balanced.

“Fewer games, to protect the health of the players, but more competitive. It’s not science fiction, let’s talk about it.”

Infantino has successfully campaigned for the World Club Cup – currently held by Liverpool – to become a 24-team tournament held every four years, despite strong opposition.

The first event scheduled for 2021 will now be pushed back because of the one-year suspension to Euro 2020.

But this break could be used to try to align the dates of different competitions like the Euros, Copa America and the Africa Cup of Nations before the Qatar World Cup in December 2022.

Big clubs want fewer international windows but there will also be pressure to reduce the number of domestic matches by shrinking top flights to 18 clubs and getting rid of the League Cup.