Sports
MINI WORLD CUP & EXPANDED CLUB WORLD CUP! Infantino’s plans for new global tournaments back on FIFA agenda
FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s plans for two new global tournaments are back on the agenda at the governing body with football officials set to discuss the proposals on Friday.
FIFA’s ruling council meets in Kigali, Rwanda and Infantino’s plan for a new ‘mini World Cup’ and an expanded Club World Cup feature among the items for discussion.
FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment and it was not clear if the plans would be put to a vote.
Infantino wrote to FIFA Council members in May, outlining his plans which he says are backed by a “solid and serious’’ group of investors.
He said the investors are willing to spend $25 billion over a 12-year cycle starting in 2021.
READ ALSO! FAYOSE IS MY FRIEND! He is being persecuted like so many other PDP leaders, says Fani-Kayode
The letter did not outline the identity of the investors but several media reports have stated that Japanese conglomerate SoftBank Group is heading the consortium.
However, the plans were strongly opposed by clubs and leagues in Europe.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said the plans were “highly cynical and ruthless mercantilism’’ and accused FIFA of selling the soul of the game.
The plans did not feature on the agenda of FIFA’s congress in Moscow in June.
Infantino’s proposals would bring about major changes to the international calendar.
The proposals outline what would effectively be a mini-World Cup, featuring eight international teams, every two years in addition to the traditional event.
The tournament, known as the “Final 8’’, will be the climax of a proposed global Nations League competition.
In the May letter, it was suggested that the new tournament would take place every October and/or November of every odd year starting from 2021.
READ ALSO! IT’S THEIR ONLY CHANCE OF SURVIVAL! Nigerian conjoined babies need N8 million for surgery [Photo]
The Confederations Cup, currently staged every four years in a year before the World Cup, would be abolished.
The annual Club World Cup, which currently features seven teams, would be expanded to 24 teams and moved to once every four years, according to the proposals.
(Reuters/NAN)
-
Entertainment23 hours ago
Osita Iheme ‘Paw Paw’ reacts to his famous memes
-
News10 hours ago
[ICYMI] NNPC denies fuel price adjustment
-
Metro9 hours ago
Police neutralise two notorious bandits in Benue
-
News10 hours ago
X users to get free premium, premium+ subscriptions – Elon Musk
-
News9 hours ago
Two bodies recovered from submerged truck in US bridge collapse
-
Entertainment8 hours ago
Actress Eniola Ajao apologizes over Bobrisky’s best-dressed female saga
-
News5 hours ago
Military frees abducted Lagos editor Segun Olatunji