UEFA and FIFA want to create more competitions, and for the fans, it ought to be a good thing. However, it is not good news in some quarters. That is why thea has met with opposition from different quarters.
Why is thea of more competitions a bada? Why does UEFA oppose the World Cup every two years? It probably is the same reason why UEFA was vehemently in opposition to the Super League. As they say, it is all about the money. It is not about the players who have to play more games. It is not about the fans but about who controls the major share of the money market. It is all about the money.
According to the PA news agency, the European football governing body is worried, amid warnings, that if FIFA should pull through with its plans, it will lose a lot of money.
FIFA’s plan that worries UEFA
UEFA is frightful at the proposals presented by FIFA that would redefine the international football schedule.
The plan, with proposals led by Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s chief of global football development, is to organize a World Cup every two years. It will close the gap from four to two years, but it faces serious opposition, including the International Olympic Committee.
FIFA wants a men’s tournament every June that will include 25-day periods for players. It will also cut the number of international breaks and qualifying matches in the season.
The new schedule would affect confederation tournaments like the European Championships and Copa America - forcing them to occur every two years. It will see qualifying matches compressed into one or two windows, which will, in turn, cut down the football-related travel and international breaks.
The study, the loss
UEFA have openly confronted FIFA and are ready to ‘hit the mattress’ as it stands in opposition to FIFA’s plans.
French outlet Le Monde released a report as cited by The Independent. The report revealed that UEFA wants to know what they stand to lose if FIFA goes ahead with its plan. It commissioned an independent study in September.
The study by London-based Oliver & Ohlbaum Associates was on Tuesday presented to the 55 national associations. It concluded that UEFA stands to lose around €3bn euro (£2.6bn) over four years.
The study shows that there would be €2.5bn (£2.16bn) losses if there were two international windows in October and March, while a single international window will bring about losses of around €3bn (£2.6bn).
Income from match tickets, broadcasting, and sponsorship revenue, will be impacted negatively.
By :
Steven D. Thompson
