Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp claimed that FIFA’s proposal to host a World Cup every two years was “all about money” as former French star Patrick Vieira warned that it would damage the competition’s reputation.
The World Cup is currently held every four years, the next edition is planned for 2022 in Qatar.
But FIFA President Gianni Infantino this week promised to make decisions by the end of the year on the controversial plan, which is part of a move to remove “too many meaningless games”.
Former Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger, now FIFA Development Director, supported the World Football Association’s proposal.
However, Aleksander Ceferin, president of the European umbrella organization UEFA, warned that the plan would “water down” the World Cup and the World Leagues Forum said it would “undermine the well-being of the players”.
Fan groups from all over the world also spoke out against the idea.
Klopp had sharply criticized the plans in his press conference before the game on Friday.
“There is no other sport in the world with such a relentless calendar, no physical sport,” he said.
“There are more demanding sports like athletics and marathons, but they don’t run 20, 30 or 40 a year.
“We all know why it happens. Whatever people say it’s about giving different countries opportunities, in the end it’s all about money. That’s how it is.”
Klopp said if the World Cup were to be held every two years it would be safe for the Euro to be held every two years, which means that international players would be limited to a three-week break each year.
“At some point someone has to start to understand that without the players – the key ingredients in this wonderful game – we can’t play it,” he said.
Crystal Palace coach Vieira, who played under Wenger at Arsenal, called his old boss a “visionary” but admitted that every two years the World Cup would diminish the importance of the competition.
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“For me, I think it will become less important to have a World Cup every two years,” said Vieira, who won the 1998 World Cup with France.
“We have to take into account the physical aspect and what we ask of the players,” he added.
“We have to assess the risk that players will play so many games with so little rest.”
as above / smg / no
