Fifa threatened with legal action unless it reschedules club football’s biggest tournament worth £600million
FIFA has been threatened with legal action unless it reschedules next year’s Club World Cup.
There are fears the expanded 32-team tournament — to be held in the USA — poses a “significant injury risk” to players if it is staged in June and July 2025 as currently planned.
Chelsea and Manchester City are England’s representatives in the event, expected to be worth £600million between the competing clubs — which also include Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Inter Milan.
But now the international players’ union FifPro and the World Leagues Association, led by Prem chief executive Richard Masters, are demanding Fifa U-turns on its new club flagship tournament — or face being SUED.
Ahead of next week’s Fifa Congress in Bangkok, a joint letter to Zurich chiefs from the two bodies claims Fifa’s new match calendar is “beyond saturation”, is causing “economic harm” to domestic leagues and poses a “significant injury risk” to players.
The letter said: “Fifa has consistently made decisions that benefit its own commercial interests, while negatively affecting national leagues and players.
“Over a significant period, Fifa has ignored repeated attempts by leagues and unions to engage on this issue.
“Should Fifa refuse to commit to resolving the issues, we shall be compelled to advise our members on the options available to them to proactively safeguard their interests.
“These options include legal action against Fifa, on which we have now commissioned external expert advice.
“The calendar is beyond saturation, to the point national leagues are unable to properly organise their competitions, resulting in economic harm.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
“Players are pushed beyond their limits, with significant injury risks and impacts on their fundamental rights.”
Man City are the current holders of the Club World Cup.
Pep Guardiola’s side beat Fluminense 4-0 in Jeddah last December.
A Julian Alvarez double sandwiched a Nino own goal and Phil Foden strike.