MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 23:12:55| >> :600:103115212:103115212:

Premier League and EFL express their opposition to a World Cup every two years

Premier League and EFL express their opposition to a World Cup every two years
© Reuters
In May, FIFA Congress agreed to a feasibility study into the calendar change, after it was requested by the Saudi Arabian football federation.

The Premier League and the EFL have expressed their opposition to a World Cup every two years.

The leagues are members of the European Leagues group, which released a statement on Thursday morning saying it "firmly and unanimously opposed" plans from FIFA to shorten the gap between the showpiece tournament from four to two years.

The statement read: "The leagues have firmly and unanimously opposed any proposals to organise the FIFA World Cup every two years.

"The leagues will work together with the other stakeholders to prevent football governing bodies to take unilateral decisions that will harm domestic football which is the foundation of our industry and of utmost importance for clubs, players and fans across Europe and the world.

"New competitions, revamped competitions or expanded competitions for club and national team football both at continental level and/or at global level are not the solutions to the current problems of our game in an already congested calendar.

"The football calendar definitely requires the agreement of all stakeholders and can only be the result of a subtle balance between club and national team football and between domestic and international club football."

European Leagues represents 37 member competitions, also including LaLiga, Ligue 1, Serie A and the Bundesliga.

In May, FIFA Congress agreed to a feasibility study into the calendar change, after it was requested by the Saudi Arabian football federation.

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, now FIFA's head of global development, is consulting across the game about the plans and is due to address the media about it on Thursday afternoon.

Wenger, right, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino
Wenger, right, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino (Handout from FIFA/PA)

Football Supporters Europe wrote to UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin last week about its misgivings regarding the plans, and the European football chief replied to express his own "grave concerns".

The European Club Association (ECA) said earlier this week that consultation was key, with its new chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the chairman of Paris St Germain, saying it was crucial that no "unilateral" decisions were made.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday he hoped a decision would be made by the world governing body's member associations by the end of the year.

ID:462879:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4658:
Written by
P A

Click here for more stories about Arsene Wenger

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Leicester City midfielder Nampalys Mendy picture in Premier League action on June 23, 2020
Read Next:
Nampalys Mendy's Leicester exit falls through?
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
Read more about Arsene Wenger Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Chiefs
21-7
Browns
FT
Ravens
35-14
Giants
FT
Jets
32-25
Jags
FT
Cowboys
30-14
Panthers
FT
Washington
20-19
Saints
FT
Dolphins
12-20
Texans
FT
Bengals
37-27
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Bournemouth157352320324
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!