Special meeting after threat of strike: FIFA convenes 211 associations in World Cup dispute

Special session after threat of strike
FIFA convenes 211 associations in the World Cup dispute

A “consensus proposal” should be made, says FIFA boss Gianni Infantino. The question is whether the future soccer World Cup will no longer take place every four years, but every two years. There is a threat of escalation – which the world association now wants to avert with a special congress shortly before Christmas.

In the dispute over a football World Cup every two years, there will be a big showdown shortly before Christmas. Following a decision by the council of the world association FIFA, an extraordinary congress will take place on December 20th to allow the 211 member associations to vote on a change to the international match calendar. It should be a “consensus proposal, behind which all member associations can unite for the future of football,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

The 51-year-old said: “I understand that criticism exists. But we have to find a common denominator. That is a challenge, but at the same time our common ambition.” to do that. ” The feasibility study commissioned for world championships every two years has not yet produced any results.

He could not therefore say conclusively whether a World Cup every two years would be the desired “egg-laying woolly milk pig”. It was “too early” for that, stressed Infantino. But the world association will “only continue the project if it is better for everyone. Not only from an economic point of view, but also from a sporting perspective with the opportunity to participate.” This week, FIFA discussed the reform in several online meetings with the national coaches.

The criticism of the FIFA plan is great, especially the European Football Union (UEFA) and the South American association CONMEBOL are putting up bitter resistance and are already threatening a boycott. At a congress, however, the two continental associations only get 65 votes together. Last week, the associations of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands renewed their criticism of the plans and even discussed leaving FIFA as the last option to protest.

.
source site