Why is everyone so angry all of a sudden? Are players really considering going on strike? What even is the Club World Cup?
Many questions have been raised over FIFA’s revamped structure for its global club competition. But what has actually changed and why has it garnered such widespread criticism?
What is the Club World Cup?
The FIFA Club World Cup was founded at the turn of the millennium and has provided a unique spectacle since its inception. It is the solitary major footballing competition contested by clubs from every continent.
Despite this, the tournament significantly lacks prestige and interest.
Mirroring the discourse projected by American sprinter Noah Lyles, the immutable fact that the Champions League pits the world’s best against each other denies any credibility to the Club World Cup and thus strips it of any tangible interest.
Most of us perceive the competition as an uneven exhibition between the Champions League winners and most often a team from South America: A glorified friendly at its height.
No Longer…
FIFA have scrapped it all and in its place birthed a club-based reflection of the World Cup for nations.
In theory, it’s an exciting development. Everyone loves football in the summer; there will be more games between football’s elite; teams from around the world will get an opportunity to compete on the biggest stage.
Much like the World Cup it will feature 32 teams split into eight groups of four. The top two teams in each group will progress to a Round of 16 single-match knockout stage until they reach the finals which will be held in the US.
The competition will now occur quadrennially, rather than annually, but teams will allegedly be compelled to bring their best players.
Why is everyone so upset?
The practical effects of this change for clubs and players are more games, more travel, and more injuries.
Previously, the likes of Real Madrid or Manchester City could expect at most two fairly relaxed fixtures before they return to their pre-season preparations.
Now they could be required to play up to seven games over the summer.
Elite-tier football has seen a steady increase in competitions and matches as stakeholders from across the sport look to cash in on its massive audience.
A regular starter at a top-level side can already expect to feature in upwards of 80 matches if they progress in all competitions.
There is already little opportunity for players to rest with the World Cup and its continental equivalents dominating the summer.
FIFA’s announcement represents yet another example of their exploitation of players and fans to enrich ownership.
The “straw that broke the camel’s back”
Players’ unions have resorted to legal action to challenge this new competition.
They have filed a claim with the Brussels Court of Commerce which will likely pass on to the European Court of Justice claiming that FIFA’s decision could cause mental and physician breakdowns.
“Since all attempts at dialogue have failed, it is now up to us to ensure that the fundamental rights of players are fully respected,” FIFPRO Europe President David Terrier said.
“It’s not a question of stigmatising a particular competition, but of denouncing both the underlying problem and the straw that broke the camel’s back.”
Manchester City star Rodri warned in September that players would consider striking if this trend were to continue.
It’s important to emphasise that players are not denouncing the competition out of a Eurocentric superiority complex generating a disinterest in playing clubs from around the world. The concept of a “Club World Cup” is not the issue.
The neglect for player welfare demonstrated by football’s organising bodies, and their determination to pack in as many games as they can, is what players are objecting to.
“It is too much. We have to take care of ourselves. Someone has to take care of ourselves because we are the main characters of this sport or business or whatever you want to call it.
“Not everything is money or marketing, it is also the quality of the show. When I am not tired I perform better and if the people want to see better football, we need to rest,” he said.
It’s about their physical and mental well-being along with the quality of the sport. How can we expect players to perform at the highest level at the back end of an 85-game season?
“I think we are close to that [striking].
“If you ask any player he will say the same; it is not the opinion of Rodri or whatever. It’s the general opinion of the players. And if it keeps this way, there will be a moment where we have no other option. It’s something that worries us because we are the guys that suffer.”
“Gianni Infantino (32879983122)” by Doha Stadium Plus Qatar from Doha, Qatar is licensed under CC BY 2.0.