FIFA plans to host a 32-team Club World Cup in the United States in summer 2025, but it faces opposition from leagues and player associations around the world.
The Premier League is one of a number of leagues and players’ associations threatening legal action against FIFA over the 2025 Club World Cup.
The intercontinental tournament will have a new format next summer and will be held from June 15th to July 13th. In a letter to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, it has been suggested that the football calendar is moving “beyond saturation”. And a 32-team tournament would help push players “beyond their limits” and cause financial damage to domestic competition.
The World League Association and the world players’ association FIFPRO, of which the Premier League and PFA are also members, have called on the FIFA Council to reschedule the Club World Cup and restart discussions on the international calendar. An alternative option could be legal action.
“If FIFA declines to make a formal commitment to resolve the issues described above at a future Board meeting, we will continue to review the options available to us, both individually and collectively, to proactively protect the interests of our members. We will have no choice but to advise our members.”letter read
“These options include legal action against FIFA, and we are currently seeking external expert advice in this regard.”
The organization was keen to emphasize that it feels ignored by soccer’s world governing body. But they want change and believe the calendar has come a long way.
“For a significant period of time, FIFA has ignored repeated attempts by leagues and associations to address this issue,” the letter added.
“Leagues and players cannot be expected to simply ‘adapt’ to FIFA decisions driven by FIFA’s business strategy. We will address this situation immediately from both a procedural and substantive perspective. We’ve reached the point where we have to.”
“The World League Association and FIFPRO, as social partners at a global level, agree that the current situation and subsequent demands would not have arisen if FIFA had followed a transparent, objective and non-discriminatory process in adopting its calendar decisions. Emphasize that it would not have happened.”
Premier League clubs Manchester City and Chelsea have qualified for the tournament to be held in the United States following their recent success in the Champions League. European players in the competition will include Real Madrid, PSG, Inter Milan, Porto, Benfica, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Atletico Madrid and Red Bull Salzburg.
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