Chronicle Editor
OLYMPIC leaders have re-emphasised their opposition to Fifa president Gianni Infantino’s pet plan to stage the World Cup every two years even though the idea is now almost certainly on the backburner following widespread global criticism.
The concept was on the agenda for the annual ‘Olympic Summit’ of sports bodies at the weekend, which Infantino attended and which was held to discuss “subjects of significance for the future of the Olympic movement”.
“The attendees voiced serious concerns over proposals from Fifa for a biennial World Cup and the impact on the worldwide sport event calendar,” the IOC said in a statement, yet another blow to Infantino’s pride ahead of an online ‘Global Summit’ of Fifa federations later this month.
Infantino reportedly told delegates that it was not true the idea had been kicked permanently into touch, explaining that “what had been presented so far was only the preliminary results, which are still under discussion”.
But of Fifa’s six confederations, only Africa has so far officially come out in with 100 percent support of the plan, which has been largely condemned as doing away with 100 years of tradition, harming an already congested international calendar and posing a considerable threat to the wider funding of the game in leading national football markets worldwide. – Inside World Football
Online Reporter