UEFA, European soccer’s governing body, later said it had a duty to protect the health of players and that its members of the FIFA Council had unanimously voted against the proposal. “UEFA shares ECA’s view that the International Match Calendar in 2021 does not provide any realistic option to stage a 24-team Club World Cup and that it should furthermore not be played at a time when players should have a well-deserved rest period,” it said in a statement.
The tournament would be held instead of the Confederations Cup in June 2021. No host nation has been decided yet, Infantino said. “We went through a consultation process, spoke with everyone, some agree, others disagree, you have different views and positions,” said Infantino. “I am feeling very positive from the discussions and I am sure that at the end we will be very happy,” he said. “I understand the situation in Europe with stakeholders, the leagues, the clubs, small clubs, big clubs, the players’ union – it’s more complex than other countries in the world. “In football we are not waging war against each other – I am confident we can have a good and fruitful cooperation,” he added. Infantino said he believed a 48-team World Cup in 2022 in Qatar is “feasible”, adding that FIFA would continue to study the options. “If it happens – fantastic. If it doesn’t happen – fantastic also,” he said. No decision will be made on expanding that tournament, with possible additional host nations, until June, Infantino said. The FIFA Council also decided to use VAR video review technology at June’s Women’s World Cup in France.
Published in Daily Times, March 17th 2019.
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