Infantino said that the competition periods in June and July 2021 were originally reserved for the 2021 World Club Cup, but FIFA’s main goal was to promote the unity and development of football around the world, therefore, it is very important to protect the interests of member associations.
Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, March 18 (reporter Xiao Shiyao, Gongbing, Ma Bangjie) on the 17th, the 2020 European Championship and America Cup officially announced the extension to June to July 2021 due to the new Crown pneumonia epidemic, FIFA president Infantino later issued a statement saying that he accepted the adjustment and suggested to postpone the holding time of China World Club Cup in 2021.
Infantino said that the competition periods in June and July 2021were originally reserved for the 2021world Club Cup, but FIFA’s main goal was to promote the unity and development of football around the world, therefore, it is very important to protect the interests of member associations. In order to find a balanced solution and protect all stakeholders, FIFA will hold a council conference call on the 18th, at which he will propose to accept the extension of the European Cup and America Cup, and it is suggested to decide the specific time for the rescheduling of the 2021 China World Club Cup later.
“I will suggest that later-when the situation is clearer, we will discuss whether to postpone the Club World Cup to the second half of 2021, 2022or 2023,” Infantino said. He also said that he would fully discuss with the Chinese government and the Football Association to minimize the negative impact.
On October 24, 2019, China won the right to host the World Club Cup in 2021after being voted by the FIFA Council. In 2021, the tournament system of the World Club Cup changed from one session per year to one session per year. The number of participating teams increased from 7 to 24, and 32 games were played in total. This brand-new event, which was built by the heavy investment, is expected by FIFA and is planned to be held in 8 cities including Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangzhou, Wuhan, Shenyang, Jinan, Hangzhou and Dalian.
After FIFA issued a statement, the Xinhua News Agency reporter learned from the Preparatory Office of the 2021 World Club Cup that the preparatory office would keep close communication with FIFA and conduct research on issues related to the World Club Cup.
In addition, Infantino said that he would discuss the impact of these changes on the calendar of international football matches with all parties in the Council, hoping that if conditions permit, be able to propose appropriate solutions as soon as possible before the end of April.
“At present, the world is facing unprecedented health challenges. Obviously, we need a global response. In the field of football, it is necessary to find a suitable and fair global solution. FIFA has always put health and the unity of football in the first place.” Infantino said.
Infantino said FIFA would take active measures to deal with the epidemic. He suggested donating 10 million dollars (about 70 million yuan) to the World Health Organization to fight the epidemic and discussing whether to establish a global football aid fund to help members of the crisis-affected football family. FIFA will also introduce necessary changes and temporary regulations on transfer rules in the short term to protect the contracts between players and clubs.