Soccer-FIFA President Infantino not interested in European Super League
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Thursday he is not interested in a European Super League amid reports that some elite clubs were in talks to set up a breakaway competition with the backing of the global soccer body.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Thursday he is not interested in a European Super League amid reports that some elite clubs were in talks to set up a breakaway competition with the backing of the global soccer body. In an interview published by German-language newspaper Aargauer Zeitung and other regional Swiss media, Infantino said FIFA was focused on the success of the revamped Club World Cup, which will feature 24 teams and be held for the first time in China in 2022.
"As FIFA president, I'm interested in the Club World Cup, not the Super league," said Infantino. "For me, it's not about Bayern Munich against Liverpool, but Bayern against Boca Juniors.
"Liverpool have 180 million fans worldwide. Flamengo have 40 million fans and 39 million of them are in Brazil. Liverpool have maybe 5 million fans in England and 175 million fans around the world," he added. "I want clubs from outside Europe to have global appeal in the future. That's my vision: to have 50 clubs and 50 national teams who can become world champions."
Sky News reported on Tuesday that more than 12 teams from Europe's top five leagues - in England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain - were in negotiations to become the founding members of the new competition with a provisional start date in 2022. FIFA had previously declined to comment on its reported involvement in the plans.
(Writing by Brian Homewood; Editing by Peter Rutherford )
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
- READ MORE ON:
- Brian Homewood
- Gianni Infantino
- Swiss
- the Club World Cup
- Infantino
- German
ALSO READ
ANALYSIS-Swiss banking plan leaves 'relieved' UBS out of immediate firing line
Swiss National Bank responds to gov't proposals to regulate UBS, other banks
ANALYSIS-Climate verdict for Swiss women a warning for European states, oil industry
European court ruling puts cautious Swiss in climate bind
BRIEF-Swiss International Air Lines Suspends Tel Aviv Service - WSJ