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      Furious Premier League chiefs slam Fifa Club World Cup plan and say it could scupper TWO SEASONS

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      PREM chiefs fear Fifa’s Club World Cup plan could scupper TWO successive seasons.Fifa boss Gianni Infantino signalled he is open to another winter World Cup, potentially as soon as 2030, when Saudi Arabia are increasingly confident of landing the big prize.
      Gianni Infantino’s plans for the Club World Cup have been blasted as “unacceptable”Credit: Getty
      That would require another six-week mid-season break for domestic football, either in the November-December period utilised in Qatar or at the start of the year.
      But the launch of the 32-team Club World Cup, which will feature potentially four or more Prem sides out of the 16 European competitors, has caused more concerns.

      It is expected that Fifa will hold the first version of the new tournament, in 2025, as a test event for the following year’s World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA.
      That will become the norm and so a Saudi World Cup in 2030 would also mean a Saudi Club World Cup the previous year.
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      And if the Big Six were all involved in a tournament that would last at least three weeks, it would leave a huge hole in the Prem fixtures calendar.
      One Prem insider said: “The lack of consultation by Fifa was really unacceptable.
      “This plan wasn’t even on the original agenda for the Fifa Council meeting and it looked as if it was a reaction to the European Court ruling that spelled the end of Super League.
      “But if there was a winter Club World Cup as well, that would be an outrage.”
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      Jamie Carragher added his voice to the discontent regarding the announcement.
      The Liverpool legend fumed: “Like the ridiculous idea of the @FIFAWorldCup every two years, this is another one from Infantino.
      “Players need rest at some point, they are getting treated like cattle.
      “Fifa hate the Champions League and want something similar themselves. 
      “European clubs should boycott it.”
      It has been suggested that Super League chief plotters Real Madrid have been promised as much as £50m per year for four seasons for signing up to the Club World Cup.
      Other major European years have winter breaks of varying lengths, allowing space to reschedule games for clubs involved in the new event.
      But the Prem schedule is based on 34 weekend dates and that will be hard to fit in if the big revenue drivers are overseas for a lengthy part of the campaign. More

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      Africa has talent on and off football pitch to succeed but needs structure to compete with European wages

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      IN AFRICA itself, professional football doesn’t do so well, certainly not the club leagues.I’m afraid that, for all the solemn promises and grandiose schemes from Fifa, this will continue.
      The footballing structure in Africa needs improvement if it is to compete with EuropeCredit: Getty
      Morocco made history as the first African nation to make a World Cup semi-finalCredit: Getty
      It is truly history-making that Morocco reached the World Cup semi-finals.
      It shouts to the powerhouse football countries that elite-level coaching in the lesser developed world is first-class.
      And the skills are by no means taught by expats, all five countries that made it to Qatar were head-coached by Africans.
      So, we know they have the talent both on and off the pitch to succeed on a world stage.
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      Where the difference lies is that the average footballer in Africa, from Morocco to Zimbabwe, earns £7,000 a month while the average Premier League wage is more than £250,000 a month.
      This is not a reflection of talent, but a direct reflection on the difference in the domestic leagues’ organisational structures as well as the broadcast rights and sponsorship revenue that each generate.
      The knock-on effect for the African domestic game is that outstanding footballers are quickly made to realise that fortunes are made in Europe, way beyond national boundaries, where top football is easier to come by and wages are much, much higher.
      Now the USA, Japan and the oil states are also tempting their players, emptying Africa of many riches. As ever.
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      Much of Africa is football barmy but actual progress on their own fields has been gradual, not least because of the lack of equipment, issues around fan safety and the mere fact trim grass is not readily available.
      That has never stopped boys or, increasingly, girls playing the game but unforgiving pitches, from sand to rock, take some overcoming.
      Fifa have plans to help.
      Publishing accounts isn’t their strong point but it is believed they have spent £2.5billion on worldwide assistance in the last six years.
      Divide that among about 200 countries and include too many fat, old committees and employees with a liking for posh offices, pleasant hotels and fleets of cars of their own.
      Fifa profit on the Qatar competition alone is about £7bn.
      In the long run, old-fashioned free-market economics will probably work better than dutiful charity because by all accounts the footballing countries of Africa teem with scouts watching out for talent.
      In time, I hope big TV fees and richer citizens may boost domestic clubs to the point where, say, 20 would form national Premier Leagues which pay players competitive salaries and retain their talent.
      Back in 1977, Pele predicted: “An African nation will win the World Cup before the year 2000.” That didn’t happen but they are edging closer.
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      The precedents for the standard of domestic African football are not good.
      And it isn’t going to be much helped by the plan to have at least nine teams from the continent playing at the expanded World Cup 2026 if the focus remains on individual talent playing outside of Africa, rather than national team development inside of Africa. More

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      FA chair Debbie Hewitt wants to become UK’s representative on Fifa after lack of English power in World Cup armband row

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      FA chair Debbie Hewitt wants to become the UK’s representative on Fifa – to ensure English football has a voice in the world’s corridors of power.Wembley boss Hewitt knows Fifa president Gianni Infantino from her role with sponsors Visa Europe.
      FA chair Debbie Hewitt wants to become the UK’s representative on FifaCredit: Splash
      But the lack of English power at Fifa was made clear by the armband row that dogged the build-up to the opening group game with Iran.
      And that has helped confirm the FA’s belief that it needs to regain the British vice-presidency role taken by Northern Ireland’s David Martin after Hewitt’s disgraced predecessor Greg Clarke was forced to quit in 2020.
      An FA spokesperson said: “International football is a strategic priority for the FA.
      “Debbie Hewitt is standing for the position of Uefa British Vice President in the Fifa Council with the full support of the FA Board.“
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      The British vice presidency has been in place since the four Home nations joined Fifa in 1946 and despite threats a decade ago it remains firmly established as part of the hierarchy.
      But England have only held the role for Clarke’s brief 18-month spell from 2019 since the retirement of Geoff Thompson in 2011.
      The decision will cause upset in Belfast with Martin only having served in the £210,000 per year role since April 2021.
      FA chiefs will lodge Hewitt’s candidate papers by the January 5 deadline and unless Martin steps down there will then be a vote of all 55 Uefa members at the Congress in Lisbon in April.
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      But Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin will actively lobby on Hewitt’s behalf as he agrees European football needs a strong English voice at Fifa’s top table.
      Fifa, too, are understood to be likely to welcome Hewitt’s elevation to the role.
      Debbie Hewitt during a Uefa Nations League match between England and HungaryCredit: Getty More

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      Fifa block Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky from giving World Cup final message to fans

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      FIFA have blocked Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky from giving a World Cup Final message – as Gianni Infantino said the pitch must never be a place for protests.Zelensky wanted to “share a message of world peace” via video link to the fans inside the Lusail Stadium.
      Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has been blocked by Fifa from giving a message of peace ahead of the World Cup finalCredit: Alamy
      Fifa president Gianni Infantino does not think the pitch is the place for the messageCredit: Getty
      But the approach was rebuffed with a source in the Ukrainian government complaining: “We thought Fifa wanted to use its platform for the greater good.”
      The decision came soon after Infantino publicly revealed his stance on the One Love armband row with England, Wales and six other European teams for the first time.
      Skippers including Harry Kane and Gareth Bale were wanted they would be booked if they defied Fifa to wear the rainbow-style anti-discrimination armbands.
      Infantino claimed: “I honestly believe we ARE defending values, human rights and the rights of everybody.
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      “Fifa is an organisation representing 211 countries around the world and there are many different concerns in different countries and cultures.
      “When it comes to regulations, it’s not about prohibiting anything but about playing football on the field of play.
      “Everybody is free to express their views, opinions and beliefs but on the pitch, the field of play, we need to respect football and those regulations protect 211 football teams and their fans.
      “The fans who come to the stadium and the billions watching the World Cup on television, each of them has their own problems.
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      “They just want to spend 90, 100, 105, maybe 120 minutes plus penalties without having to think about anything else, to enjoy a little moment of pleasure and emotion.
      “We just need to give these people a moment of time in their life where they can forget their own problems and enjoy football.
      “Outside the match, everyone can express their point of view but let’s give that moment of joy to those who want to enjoy it.”  More

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      Ex-Germany star Kevin Kuranyi rushed to hospital after suffering injury in Fifa Legends game at World Cup

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      KEVIN KURANYI has been rushed to hospital in Doha after suffering a knee injury.The former Germany striker, 40, was taking part in a Fifa Legends game when he sustained a serious issue.
      Kevin Kuranyi was in action in DohaCredit: Getty
      Kuranyi was featuring in a team alongside the likes of Paulo Wanchope, Oswaldo Sanchez and Jorge Campos when he felt intense pain in his knee.
      According to Bild, Kuranyi had to be immediately rushed to hospital in an ambulance.
      The full extent of his injury is yet to be determined, but it has been reported that he has likely suffered damage to his meniscus and cruciate ligament.
      Speaking after the incident, Kuranyi said: “I noticed right away that something broke in my knee. I can’t say more at the moment.”
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      The forward earned 52 caps for Germany between 2003 and 2008 – featuring at two European Championships.
      He bagged 19 goals for his country, and also enjoyed a prolific club career with Stuttgart, Schalke and Dynamo Moscow.
      Kuranyi is just one of many former stars to have been invited to Qatar to play in the Fifa Legends Cup competition.
      His “Northern Bears” team was up against Nigeria icon Sunday Oliseh’s Africa Lions side when the injury was sustained.
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      Other legends of the game to have featured in the competition this week include Kaka, Didier Drogba, John Terry, Roberto Carlos and Francesco Totti.
      Matches are being played at Doha’s Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex.
      The venue is primarily used for the ATP and WTA Qatar Opens.
      John Terry played alongside Tim CahillCredit: Getty
      Kaka and Roberto Carlos have been in action at the Fifa Legends CupCredit: Getty More

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      Jamie Carragher slams Fifa’s 32-team Club World Cup as ‘ridiculous’ and says players are ‘treated like cattle’

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      LIVERPOOL legend Jamie Carragher has slammed Fifa’s 32-team Club World Cup as “ridiculous” and says players are being “treated like cattle”.Fifa president Gianni Infantino revealed the controversial 2025 plans on Friday as they look to compete with Uefa’s Champions League.
      Carragher has slammed plans for a 32-team Club World CupCredit: Getty
      Infantino insists player welfare is being consideredCredit: Getty
      It means the Fifa-run club tournament will more than quadruple in size from the current format with seven sides.
      The world football governing body initially wanted to increase the size of the Club World Cup from seven teams to 24 for China in 2021 – before the pandemic hit.
      Big clubs have already rejected the proposal – and the Premier League has also followed suit.
      And Liverpool legend Carragher has taken aim at Infantino and Co, saying players “need rest at some point”, and that they’re being “treated like cattle”.
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      Carragher also slammed the idea of a 32-team Club World Cup as “ridiculous” after recently discussing the possibility of a World Cup every two years.
      The Champions League winner fumed: “Like the ridiculous idea of the @FIFAWorldCup every two years, this is another one from Infantino.
      “Players need rest at some point, they are getting treated like cattle.
      “FIFA hate the Champions League and want something similar themselves. 
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      “European clubs should boycott it.”
      However, Infantino says Fifa are considering “the health and wellbeing of players” in their decision to create and expand competitions.
      In his lengthy press conference, Infantino said: “We have to take into consideration the health and wellbeing of players.
      “We need to ensure there is a rest period for players, a holiday period, ideally 72 hours between games.
      “Of course we need to be pragmatic on these topics. We will now consult on all these topics and elaborate.” More

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      Fifa president Gianni Infantino hints at MORE winter World Cups with Saudi Arabia 2030 bid expected

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      FIFA president Gianni Infantino has hinted there will be more winter World Cups on the horizon.The tournament in Qatar caused great controversy when it was announced that it would be played in November and December.
      FIFA President Gianni Infantino has hinted that more World Cup tournaments could be played in the winter monthsCredit: AP
      It had to be played in winter to tackle the extreme heat, with temperatures still regularly exceeding 30C, even in December.
      Infantino has claimed the World Cup in Qatar has been the “best ever” and even suggested the level of football has been higher.
      He has put this down to the fact it is being played in the middle of the season rather than players having to perform “at the end of an exhausting campaign”.
      He added: “A very important element, is we have to take into consideration is the health and well-being of players hence four-game window, rather than two-game windows.
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      “We need to make sure there is a rest period for the players.
      “We will consult on these topics and elaborate.”
      The next bid that could be played in the winter, should it be successful, is the Saudi Arabia-Egypt-Greece bid for the 2030 competition.
      Saudi Arabia are believed to be the lead contributor to the tournament and would pay for at least some of the other two countries’ costs.
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      While praising the ongoing tournament – ahead of Sunday’s final between France and Argentina – Infantino admitted he was happy with the “joyful atmosphere”.
      He said: “The World Cup has been an incredible success on all fronts.
      “The main one being the fans, the behaviour, the joyful atmosphere, the bringing of people together.
      “The fans meeting the Arab world, it has been very important for the future of all of us.” More

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      Fifa to launch new Club World Cup in 2025 with THIRTY-TWO teams, setting themselves on collision course with clubs

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      THE CLUB WORLD CUP is being expanded to 32 teams in a major shake-up.It means the Fifa-run club tournament will more than quadruple in size from the current format with seven sides.
      Fifa president Gianni Infantino revealed the details of the new Club World Cup plansCredit: PA
      Chelsea beat Palmeiras in the 2021-22 edition in FebruaryCredit: AFP
      The major changes are set to come into effect from 2025, as revealed by Fifa president Gianni Infantino today.
      The world football governing body initially wanted to increase the size of the Club World Cup from seven teams to 24 for China in 2021 – before the pandemic hit.
      The new format of the 32-team tournament will take place every four years with an extended international break merging the current September and October slots to facilitate the changes.
      It is unclear at this stage how the 32 teams will be comprised – currently each continent sends one team with the host nation’s league champions making up the seven.
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      Chelsea won the 2021-22 version as reigning Champions League winners, beating Copa Libertadores champs Palmeiras in the February final.
      The European and South American clubs joined in the semi-finals with the teams from the other confederations in Africa, Asia, Oceania and North, Central America and Caribbean as well as the host nation’s league champions joining earlier.
      Real Madrid will be the European representative at the 2022-23 edition following their victory over Liverpool in Paris in May.
      And Infantino confirmed that tournament will be hosted in Morocco, just as it was in 2013 and 2014.
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      The Club World Cup was launched in 2000 with Chelsea becoming the third English team to win it after Manchester United in 2008 and Liverpool in 2019.
      Real Madrid are the most successful side in the tournament’s history with four titles, one more than rivals Barcelona.
      Brazilian side Corinthians and Bayern Munich have won two each while 14 of the last 15 have been won by the European team.
      Infantino also added that a Women’s Club World Cup will be launched – although no further details were given at this stage.
      And a Fifa World Series will also start, with the friendly tournament taking place in even years to “increase the possibilities for teams from different confederations to play each other”.
      There was a hint, too, of future winter World Cups following the success of Qatar 2022. More