Forbes
Gianni Infantino, the president of soccer’s world governing body FIFA, has reaffirmed his commitment to holding an expanded Club World Cup competition despite previous criticism from leagues.
In an interview with Brazil legend and Real Valladolid owner Ronaldo Nazario, Infantino said he didn’t know why some people were “afraid” of the competition.
The new-look competition, which will include 24 international club teams, was due to take place in China next June and July. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, FIFA agreed to delay the competition with no date yet set for when it will take place.
European clubs have previously threatened to boycott the competition, while in January La Liga president Javier Tebas warned it could damage domestic leagues.
“I don’t know why some people are afraid of this competition. Maybe because it will become the best club competition in the world very soon,” Infantino told Ronaldo in the interview at the World Football Summit.
“When we decided to do the new Club World Cup, we decided at the same time to stop the Confederations Cup and the current Club World Cup.
“So I think we are the first sports body in the world that doesn’t just add, but replaces and makes something that is more relevant and more interesting.
“I think the idea of having the best clubs in the world from all continents together for a couple of weeks to decide in a knockout competition who is the best in the world, is something that can excite fans.”
In a wide-ranging Q+A, Infantino also said FIFA’s COVID-19 Relief Plan, which will make up to $1.5 billion available to assist the global soccer community, was possible thanks to the organization’s “very strong and stable” financial situation.
One part of the plan will make grants available, with a minimum of 5
Infantino said women’s soccer was a “top priority” for FIFA and, after the success of last year’s Women’s World Cup, he floated the idea of holding the competition more regularly.
“I ask everyone to invest in women’s football because it is the future,” he said.
“One idea which came in this period, and even before as well, is maybe we should organise the Women’s World Cup every two years, instead of every four years.
“For the next Women’s World Cup in 2023 we had a lot of interest all around the world. I think these kinds of events like the World Cup, or the Club World Cup, of a few weeks where the best players, the best teams are together, are events we need to foster because everyone loves them.”
He did, however, admit that the pandemic means players face a “very tight schedule for the next couple of years”.
“We have to realise the core of football is the players. I think some people in some management positions have forgotten that. Some of them from the past and maybe some as well in the present,” Infantino said.
“We have to realise that we in FIFA are here to make sure the stage is set for the main actors, the players, to shine.”
One example of protecting players’ welfare, Infantino said, was FIFA’s suggestion to allow teams to make five substitutes in a match, instead of three. He said the rule would be analysed again in the future before a decision on whether to permanently adopt it.
Asked for FIFA’s view on players taking the knee after kick-off or scoring a goal, Infantino did not provide a direct answer.
“FIFA is strongly advocating tolerance, mutual respect and common sense,” he said.
“We have a zero tolerance policy against all forms of discrimination, not only racism. We must say no to racism. We must say no to violence.”
Ronaldo said high-profile players and former players had a responsibility to use their profiles to help fight racism.
“The fight against racism is everybody’s fight and we have to fight it every day. No one is born racist. Somehow they learn to be racist,” the World Cup winner said.
“We have a loud voice so we have to scream to people about that.”