By Andrew Warshaw
October 9 – UEFA’s new divisional Nations League, scheduled to start in 2018, has been met with caution by leagues and clubs concerned that the game could become far too saturated, with unnecessary additional fixture pressure placed on their much-prized players. But Uefa’s plan to replace friendly internationals with another meaningful competition every two years will ultimately take off, according to UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino.
In recent years, the European Club Association, representing the majority of the continent’s clubs, has strengthened its relationship with UEFA. Threats of a breakaway league are long in the past while compensation issues have also largely been resolved.
The one area of disagreement at present seems to be the concept of the Nations League but Infantino is certain it will become an established and welcomed part of the calendar.
The Nations League gives the opportunity for countries to play teams of their own level which isn’t always the case with World Cup and European qualifiers.
“It’s a logical development in terms of the international match calendar and will actually provide for fewer dates rather than more,” Infantino told the Leaders in Sport Business conference.
“There is far more interest for it than friendly games. Our purpose is to develop football and that means boosting interest throughout Europe. How do you do that, and develop players, if they know they will lose anyway?”
UEFA’s 54 national federations voted unanimously at this year’s Congress to introduce the competition which will be far easier to market than friendlies and will be split into four divisions with promotion and relegation.
Infantino rejected the idea that the Nations League was one tournament too many and would devalue existing competitions.
“It creates a new stimulus and gives everyone a chance without adding to the number of games. So it’s win-win for everyone. By ranking the teams, you compete for something and play against teams that are more of your level.”
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