Premier League fear FIFA will force them to cut to 18 teams

In a bold move to alleviate the already congested calendar, FIFA reportedly consider reducing the number of teams to 18.

This proposal has ignited apprehension and debate among clubs and players. Thus, it has caused fears of a significant impact on the structure of European soccer leagues.

Currently, the Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A each feature 20 teams. Meanwhile, France’s Ligue 1 and the German Bundesliga operate with 18 teams. According to a report from The Sun, a working group within FIFA has been formed to address the growing concerns over the heavy fixture list. Thus, a source indicated that the Premier League‘s reduction to 18 teams might be imminent.

The source mentioned, “We all think that this is the ultimate aim from FIFA, to find a way of making us drop to 18. What you can put your money on is the working group saying there is too much domestic football.”

This potential restructuring comes amidst mounting tension over player welfare and fixture congestion. Clubs and players are increasingly vocal about the physical toll and risk of burnout caused by the dense schedule of matches.

Much backlash from clubs and players

The proposed changes are part of FIFA’s broader strategy, which includes the expansion of the Club World Cup to 32 teams, scheduled to take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13 next year. However, this expansion has met with resistance from clubs, particularly in England and Spain.

They fear the additional fixtures will exacerbate the already heavy load on players. Some clubs have even threatened legal action against FIFA due to the potential adverse consequences of the expanded tournament.

Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, recently highlighted the concerns shared by many clubs about the toll on players due to an overloaded schedule. The debate over fixture congestion is set to continue, as clubs across Europe grapple with balancing commercial interests, player welfare, and the…

Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/premier-league-fear-fifa-will-force-them-to-cut-to-18-teams/

Author : Martina Alcheva

Publish date : 2024-06-02 19:18:20

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.