AFP, PARIS: The European Club Association (ECA) insisted Tuesday that extending the World Cup from 32 to 40 teams would put too much burden on clubs and inflict physical overload on players.
“We are satisfied with the balance of interest and any change would need very careful review,” insisted ECA vice-president Umberto Gandini.
The AC Milan director was speaking at the end of a two day working session in Paris with a bouquet of subjects on the club lobby group’s agenda, chiefly aimed at combating FIFA reforms to the World Cup.
ECA said “the burden on players has become too much” and described the new proposal by FIFA presidential candidate Gianni Infantino as leading to physical overload.
“The clubs acknowledge the importance of national teams to the federations but we have a responsibility to the players,” Gandini explained.
Gandini revealed that Infantino had presented his manifesto to them Tuesday and that the Swiss intended to extend the World Cup to 40 teams by 2026 if elected.
“We have only recently agreed a new international calendar until 2022, so we would be disappointed if they were to try and impose a change already,” Gandini added.
“The decision is in the hands of FIFA. But as important stakeholders, we expect to be at the table.
“Our evaluation can only be negative because we see what is demanded of the top players nationally and internationally with their clubs and then with the national sides.
“I cannot say what we would do to combat them if they decide to go ahead, but we would be very unhappy and expect to be able to discuss all this to avoid an extension happening.”
Despite reluctance to openly endorse a FIFA presidential candidate the Italian however expressed very close ties with Infantino.
“We wish Gianni well, he deserves the best and FIFA deserve the best.
“We understand he needs to attract votes from all over the world now, but on this point we cannot back him.”
“We had a good relationship with him at UEFA and he was always on our side, so while we cannot endorse a candidate for an election in which we do not yet have a vote, we wish him well and look forward to working with him or whoever is elected,” Gandini said.