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(The Guardian) European clubs are becoming increasingly concerned and frustrated with FIFA’s planning for the inaugural 32-team Club World Cup next summer.
As first reported by The Athletic, the PA news agency understands FIFA president Gianni Infantino is meeting with broadcasters on Friday. So far no rights deals in any part of the world have been announced in relation to the tournament, nor have any sponsors, match or training venues been confirmed with less than nine months to go until the event in the United States is due to start.
Manchester City and Chelsea, as winners of the 2023 and 2021 Champions Leagues respectively, are the English representatives. Clubs are understood to see the next few weeks as critical and are demanding to see progress made on the commercial side.
There is deep frustration that despite FIFA entering a joint venture with the European Club Association (ECA) on selling the competition’s commercial rights, FIFA has so far acted unilaterally and only now, with time running out, is seeking input from the clubs. Clubs remain cautiously supportive of the concept but clearly have concerns over revenue, and are understood to have privately sought direction over when they should start planning for pre-season tours instead.
As first reported by The Athletic, the PA news agency understands FIFA president Gianni Infantino is meeting with broadcasters on Friday. So far no rights deals in any part of the world have been announced in relation to the tournament, nor have any sponsors, match or training venues been confirmed with less than nine months to go until the event in the United States is due to start.
Manchester City and Chelsea, as winners of the 2023 and 2021 Champions Leagues respectively, are the English representatives. Clubs are understood to see the next few weeks as critical and are demanding to see progress made on the commercial side.
There is deep frustration that despite FIFA entering a joint venture with the European Club Association (ECA) on selling the competition’s commercial rights, FIFA has so far acted unilaterally and only now, with time running out, is seeking input from the clubs. Clubs remain cautiously supportive of the concept but clearly have concerns over revenue, and are understood to have privately sought direction over when they should start planning for pre-season tours instead.
