Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Zurich: FIFA president Gianni Infantino has proposed delaying next year's revamped 24-team FIFA Club World Cup in China PR after UEFA postponed the European Championship until 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
South America's national team competition, the Copa America, also scheduled for this June and July, has also been postponed by a year, ensuring European-based players will be free to finish the season with their clubs.
AFC Asian Cup holders Qatar and Australia, the 2015 Asian champions, are scheduled to play in the Copa America.
Mr Infantino said in a statement he would hold a conference call with FIFA officials on Wednesday, during which he will suggest "to decide at a later stage - when there is more clarity on the situation - when to reschedule the new FIFA Club World Cup, later in 2021, in 2022 or in 2023."
He also said FIFA will plan "to discuss with the Chinese FA and the China PR Government the postponement of the new FIFA Club World Cup from 2021 in order to minimise any negative impact."
UEFA said the new proposed dates for the tournament were June 11 to July 11 next year, as Euro 2020 becomes Euro 2021.
This year's tournament was due to be held in 12 countries. There is no suggestion the format or number of venues will change.
"The world is facing an unprecedented health challenge and clearly a global and collective response is needed," said the FIFA President.
"Cooperation, mutual respect and understanding must be the guiding principles for all decision makers to have in mind at this crucial moment in time.
"Particularly in football, finding appropriate and fair solutions at global level is imperative."
Mr Infantino added FIFA would pledge US$10 million to the World Health Organisation's COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.
Source: AFP