By Andrew Warshaw
February 9 – FIFA presidential candidate Gianni Infantino’s controversial World Cup expansion plan has suffered its first significant setback, with Europe’s major clubs coming out firmly against any change to the status quo.
Infantino presented his manifesto to the general assembly of the European Club Association in Paris today and while he was given plenty of encouragement in terms of succeeding Sepp Blatter, his proposal to increase the World Cup finals from 32 to 40 teams did not go down well.
“We have expressed privately and publically our concerns in terms of promises to enlarge the World Cup from 32 teams to 40,” AC Milan’s Umberto Gandini, the ECA’s second most senior official, told reporters following the two-day assembly.
“It is something that is not really appealing to us since we consider ourselves the main providers. The players are the employers of the clubs and we have a lot to say when it comes to the exploitation of their abilities. We are very satisfied with the way the system works now. It would very difficult to find any support in the ECA for the enlargement of the World Cup without proper consultation.”
Gandini’s words will have made awkward hearing for Infantino who, as UEFA general secretary and before stepping into the FIFA presidential race, played a key role in developing greater co-operation between UEFA and Europe’s clubs.
“Obviously we have known Gianni for many years and he was instrumental in developing our relationship,” said Gandini. “We wish him all the best in the election contest. It’s understandable that he is campaigning to get support around the world but he knows we are not happy. And probably that goes for clubs from other confederations too.”
In a strongly worded general press release, the ECA, represented by 143 clubs in Paris, covered the same subject by saying it “expresses its disagreement” with any World Cup expansion.
“The clubs acknowledge the importance of national teams for each country and, in particular, the federations,” a statement said. “However, the healthy balance between club and national team football must not be put at risk.
“The burden imposed on players has reached its limits; all football stakeholders must protect the players, the key element of the game, from physical overload. The clubs have a responsibility towards their players and ECA calls on the governing bodies to apply the same sense of responsibility to protect the game. “
The ECA also made it clear that it expects to be involved in FIFA’s reform measures when they finally kick into gear after the Feb 26 election.
“ECA reiterates its demand to play an active and constructive role in FIFA’s decision-making process moving forward,” a statement said. ” FIFA must open its doors to key stakeholders, such as clubs, players and leagues, offering them meaningful and direct involvement when it comes to decisions affecting the professional game.”
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