LaLiga Chief Slams FIFA’s $25BN Tournament Plans
May 22, 2018
LaLiga President Javier Tebas has branded FIFA’s plans for new global tournaments as “totally irresponsible”, saying the developments would damage the football industry globally.
FIFA’s proposal includes creating a 24-team Club World Cup, staged every four years, as well as a Global Nations League every two years.
Football’s international governing body is in talks with a consortium of private investors who are expected to generate $25bn (£18.6bn) from the tournaments over a 12-year cycle.
There has been public support for the plans from Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, despite Mr. Tebas’ objections to the matter.
“My obligation is to protect the football industry in Spain and these tournaments would damage the football league and the football industry here. I’ve already said to Real Madrid and Barcelona in regard to this: there will be food now and hunger tomorrow,” said the Spaniard.
“This will cause a deconstructing of the national league. We already have this problem in Europe. We have to face it and find a solution because the Club World Cup will make it even worse,” he added.
Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, has been looking to push through the proposals during the hectic period leading up to this summer’s World Cup in Russia.