LAUSANNE, SWITZERLANDÂ (AFP) - Fifa president Gianni Infantino was dealt a blow on Wednesday (May 22) when world football's governing body shelved a proposed expansion of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to 48 teams.
Fifa dumped the plans "following a thorough and comprehensive consultation process" which led to the conclusion that "under the current circumstances such a proposal could not be made now".
"(The tournament) will therefore remain as originally planned with 32 teams and no proposal will be submitted at the next Fifa Congress on June 5," Fifa said in a statement.
The expansion was a pet project of Infantino, who pushed the idea despite the likely need for Qatar's neighbours to put aside a two-year blockade and help host the tournament.
"The involvement of these countries in the organisation of the tournament jointly with Qatar implies the lifting of this blockade, in particular the lifting of restrictions on the movement of people and goods," said a feasibility study submitted to March's Fifa Congress in Miami.
The study, seen by AFP, also claimed that a Qatar World Cup with 48 teams would generate "between US$300 and US$400 million (S$414 and S$552 million) of additional income".
Specifically, Fifa was counting on an additional US$120 million in TV rights, US$150 million in marketing rights and US$90 million from ticket sales.
The news comes after Europe's top football clubs said in March they would boycott an expanded 24-team Club World Cup - also backed by Infantino - which is planned to take place between June 17 and July 4, 2021, replacing the Confederations Cup international tournament.
Â
Â
COMPLICATED PROPOSITION
An announcement of the final decision hadn't been expected until next month's congress, which is being held in Paris ahead of the Women's World Cup taking place in France between June 7 and July 7.
However, the statement said that the study "concluded that due to the advanced stage of preparations and the need for a detailed assessment of the potential logistical impact on the host country, more time would be required and a decision could not be taken before the deadline of June".
Fifa has dropped the idea despite recommending in March that the number of teams should be raised to 48 for 2022, ahead of the planned 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Expanding the competition for the 2022 tournament was always a complicated proposition.
Fifa had sounded out potential co-hosts in the region willing to support Qatar, a complicated proposition for Doha which is subject to an ongoing embargo by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and their allies.
Last week, Hassan al-Thawadi, the secretary general of Qatar's Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, said that a feasibility study jointly carried out by Fifa and Qatar would favour "expansion to other countries".
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain cut all ties with Doha in June 2017, accusing Qatar of supporting Iran and Islamist groups.
Qatar denies the charges and says Saudi Arabia and its allies aim to incite government change in the emirate, the world's largest exporter of liquified natural gas.
Gulf states Kuwait and Oman have not taken sides in the crisis. However, in April, Oman announced it was "not ready" to host matches.
Champions League: Manchester City late comeback stuns Schalke
Football: Man City come from two goals down to reach FA Cup
Snowflakes? Mourinho reveals fragile ego of mystery Man United star The Portuguese coach was sacked by the Red Devils in December after a wretched run of results.
Mourinho hits back at Neville again, Latest Football News
Man Utd fans split on blaming De Gea or Herrera for Mustafi's Arsenal goal. and Manchester United fans didn't know whether to blame David De Gea or Ander Herrera. (@The_One_Bissaka
EPL: Tottenham blame De Gea for 1-0 defeat to Manchester
We have been experiencing some problems with subscriber log-ins and apologise for the inconvenience caused. Until we resolve the issues, subscribers need not log in to access ST Digital articles.
Hot Sportsnews, Transfers and Accurate Predictions - Log On
Real Madrid failed to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2010. Real Madrid manager Santiago Solari says he will not resign after their last-16 Champions League exit to Ajax.
Real Madrid suffered then hit Ajax back - Solari - espn.com
China strips South Korea of football trophy for 'indecent' celebrations A South Korean player caused uproar in China after he was pictured with his foot on the Panda Cup. AFP/STR
China strips South Korea of football trophy for 'indecent
Thomas Muller now has more time for family after 'negative surprise' of Germany axe Bayern Munich forward and teammates Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels were informed by Joachim Low that they would
Few can say they could've predicted the sudden rise of the squad, although The Guardian certainly had a crack in 2008 when they posted their list of England's 20 future stars - who were all under
England are ready to fulfil the growing expectations, says
Rangers have boosted their Scottish Premiership title chances with the high-profile loan signing of Jermain Defoe. The former England striker has moved to Ibrox on an 18-month deal from Bournemouth.
Title-chasing Rangers sign Defoe on loan - sports.yahoo.com
Teenage sensation Moise Kean scored the winner to put Juventus one step away from an eighth consecutive Serie A title on Saturday as a 2-1 comeback win over AC Milan pushed the champions 21 points clear at the top. Kean -- the victim of racist abuse earlier this week in Cagliari -- came on as a
Football: Wayne Rooney bags first MLS hat-trick in D.C. romp over Real Salt Lake D.C. United forward Wayne Rooney (left) shooting the ball past Real Salt Lake midfielder Kyle Beckerman during
Rooney bags first MLS hat trick in DC romp | Free Malaysia Today
Football: Home United claim Community Shield in 5-4 shoot-out win over Albirex Niigata SINGAPORE -Home United have started the 2019 Singapore Premier League (SPL) season on a positive note after beating defending champions Albirex Niigata 5-4 on penalties in the Community Shield on Saturday (Feb 23) evening .
Home United clinch Community Shield after shoot-out victory
MANCHESTER, England (REUTERS) - Manchester United produced their least impressive performance under interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the Norwegian offered rare starts to some out-of-favour
Solskjaer maintains perfect start as United beat Reading in
adtest.supersport.com/football/fa-cup/news/190105/Solskjaer_maintains_perfect_start_as_United_beat_Reading_in_Cup
It was a subdued performance by the 12-times FA Cup winners at Old Trafford, where Reading impressed, but maintained former United striker Solskjaer's dream start to life in the hot seat vacated last month by Jose Mourinho who was sacked. Solskjaer becomes the first United manager to begin his reign with five straight wins since Matt Busby.
Manchester United : Solskjaer maintains perfect start as
Football: Singapore Premier League club Warriors barred from foreign hires by Ministry of Manpower for second time - straitstimes Oil royalty claim: Kelantan withdraws suit against Petronas
The Times & The Sunday Times
0 comments:
Post a Comment