The “destruction” of football: European associations threaten to withdraw from FIFA

The “destruction” of football
European associations threaten to withdraw from FIFA

Against great resistance from Europe, FIFA boss Gianni Infantino wants to push through his plans to optimize the soccer world championships. Some associations are threatening to leave the world association. It’s the saber rattling ahead of the decision to be made this year.

In the debate about the controversial plans for a World Cup every two years, other European football associations are considering leaving FIFA. According to media reports, more than a dozen associations from Europe are considering ending membership in the world association as a last option. The reports appeared shortly after FIFA boss Gianni Infantino spoke to numerous European association heads on Tuesday about the reform of the men’s international game calendar from 2024.

A possible world championship every two years is currently being controversially discussed; the continental associations of Europe and South America categorically reject this. Aleksander Ceferin, President of the European Football Union, threatened a boycott from Europe. Most recently, the Northern European associations of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands made their position against a World Cup every two years clear in a joint statement. “In the worst case and as a last option, it cannot be ruled out that the associations will resign from FIFA in protest,” said a statement from the Danish association.

A possible resignation of member associations is regulated in Article 18 of the FIFA Statutes. Accordingly, a resignation can take place at the end of a calendar year, a corresponding declaration must be made no later than six months before the end of the year. So this could no longer happen in 2021. Teams from the respective countries would then no longer be able to take part in FIFA competitions, but as UEFA members they would still be able to participate in competitions organized by the European Continental Association.

Criticism and threats are pouring down on the world association from all sides. So far, however, he has remained calm. Despite the gloomy scenarios of some warners. They come from South America and Europe, the core continents of the sport game soccer. So it is not surprising that Javier Tebas, head of the Spanish La Liga, warned in an interview with “Sport Bild” that the new rhythm would destroy the “entire ecosystem of football”, especially in Europe.

If the world association FIFA enforces its plans despite massive opposition, the effects could be fatal, according to Tebas. “It is possible that leagues will be downsized, the value of TV rights for these leagues will decrease, the players will earn less there. This is how we are making football a sport for the elite. That is a big mistake,” said the 59-year-old in an interview with the ” Sport picture “. “You have to see football as a global whole. FIFA makes football more elitist, not more global.” The decision on a new World Cup rhythm should be made this year.

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