February 5 – The English Premier League has accused FIFA of going “too far” with the expanded Club World Cup and says it won’t allow special dispensation for the two English teams involved in next summer’s competition, Manchester City and Chelsea.
The league’s chief football officer Tony Scholes says the start of the domestic 2025/26 season will not be delayed just because of the 32-team CWC.
City and Chelsea are England’s representatives at the tournament which runs from June 15 to July 13 but Scholes was quoted in the British media as saying: “Why would be adjusting our competition when they [FIFA] have imposed a competition that we don’t agree with?”
“We’re having this imposed upon us, particularly by FIFA… that’s one element. The more significant element, though, is we simply can’t (extend the start of the season). The calendar is squeezed as much as it can be at the moment. It’s gone too far.”
If either City or Chelsea reach the final it will take place just four weeks before the start of the next Premier League campaign on August 16. City manager Pep Guardiola wants his team’s opening matches pushed back but it doesn’t look like this will happen.
Scholes also reserved criticism UEFA for increasing the number of matches in their club competitions.
“UEFA have of course added games into the group stages of the Champions League and in the Europa League,” he said. “They’ve added the knockout play-offs.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1738773900labto1738773900ofdlr1738773900owedi1738773900sni@w1738773900ahsra1738773900w.wer1738773900dna1738773900