- League signed a complaint letter sent by the World Leagues Forum
- According to the new schedule, clubs will play a maximum of seven matches in the summer of 2025
- ‘There is no greater waste of time!’ What is the point of the Club World Cup? It all starts
The Premier League has lodged a formal complaint with FIFA for failing to consult with the leagues and clubs over the expanded 32-team Club World Cup.
Mail Sport announced on Saturday the schedule for the new tournament, which will see Manchester City and Chelsea play up to seven matches in four weeks in the summer of 2025, with the final taking place just three weeks before the start of the next domestic season.
The Premier League is said to have signed a letter of complaint sent to FIFA by the World Leagues Forum, a lobby group representing 44 of the world’s top domestic leagues, including La Liga, Serie A and the Bundesliga.
It is believed that the strongly worded letter accuses FIFA of failing to discharge its responsibilities as the world’s governing body and claiming that it is instead prioritizing their own interests by scheduling more matches to generate ever greater revenues.
The commercial value of the expanded Club World Cup is currently unclear as broadcast rights and sponsorship deals have yet to be sold, but many of the world’s top clubs, including City, Real Madrid, Paris Saint Germain and Bayern Munich, have already signed up qualified, it is certain that this will happen. generate several billion pounds.
The Premier League has lodged a formal complaint with FIFA over the expanded Club World Cup (FIFA head Gianni Infantino pictured)
Champions League winners Manchester City will take part in the new 32-team tournament
2021 winners Chelsea are the second English team who could play an extra seven matches
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FIFA is working to establish a prize fund of £2 billion alone, with all participating clubs receiving £50 million and winners receiving more than £100 million.
In their letter, the World League Forum claims that FIFA is ignoring the interests of clubs by overloading the calendar and endangering the health of players.
PFA chief executive Maheta Molango made a similar point on Sunday, saying the players were being used as pawns and describing the Club World Cup as ridiculous.
Pep Guardiola’s side arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday morning to take part in this season’s competition
PFA CEO Maheta Molango (right) has described players as ‘pawns’ between governing bodies
“Players have become pawns in a battle for primacy between football’s governing bodies, with no one willing to step back or work together to create a sustainable calendar,” Molango said.
‘These decisions have consequences – not just for players being pushed until they break, but also for the future quality of these tournaments, with players getting injured or withdrawing from games while making their own decisions about how to deal with some ridiculous requirements have become. .’
