Radical plan for World Cup every two years

[Herbie von Smalls]

..TX.-

The World Cup could become a biennial event if radical restructuring

proposals for international football prepared for top European clubs

are adopted.

..TX.-

The proposal is part of a presentation, commissioned by the G-14

grouping of wealthy European clubs, by Hypercube, a Dutch

consultancy.

..TX.-

Labelled "Grand Slam World", the proposal to double the frequency of

World Cups, at present held every four years, is the most radical of

four options outlined in the 36-page presentation.

..TX.-

Option C - "Grand Slam Euro" - would see continental tournaments,

such as the European championship, contested every four years by

European national teams, double in frequency, and a possible World

Cup for clubs once every four years.

..TX.-

Both "scenarios", as well as a third option under which weaker

countries would have to pre-qualify for continental championships,

would also permit expansion of the European Champions League. This is

contested each year by the top European clubs and habitually

dominated by the 18 members of G-14. These include Manchester United,

Real Madrid, Juventus and Bayern Munich, but not Chelsea, probably

the richest club of all.

..TX.-

The biggest envisaged expansion of the Champions League would see 48

clubs playing 269 matches, compared with 32 clubs playing 125 matches

under existing arrangements. The presentation appears to suggest that

such a move could increase Champions League revenues by up to

{XEU}600m ({GBP}412m) a year.

..TX.-

This growth would be accommodated under both Grand Slam proposals by

the abolition of qualifying matches for the World Cup and the various

continental championships.

..TX.-

In Europe, national teams would be split into three divisions, with

the top 16 competing for the European championship. The four worst

performers from this top tier would be relegated to the second

division for the next championship two years later, with the four

best second-tier teams correspondingly promoted to the elite

grouping.

..TX.-

Europe's representatives in the World Cup would be the 12 best

performers in the European championship. The presentation implies

that this reorganisation could be in place by 2009, and that

therefore the first biennial World Cup could come in 2012.

..TX.-

The G-14 emphasised that Hypercube's proposals did not constitute

G-14 policy. While the structure of the international calendar "could

be improved to the benefit of federations, clubs and players", it had

"no set view" on the best solution.

..TX.-

The proposals are certain, nonetheless, to trigger widespread debate

ahead of the start of the 2006 World Cup on Friday.

..TX.-

Pieter Nieuwenhuis, a Hypercube consultant, said it was "early in the

process". Hypercube wanted "in time to invite the international

football federations to chair a discussion processon restructuring

international football".

..TX.-

Recent months have brought an intensification of the battle for

control of the international game between the increasingly

influential clubs - whose muscle has grown in line with theirrevenues

- and Fifa and Uefa, the sport's main governing bodies. Fifa, the

football's world governing body, had no comment, while Uefa, the

European body, said the proposals were "a direct assault on national

teams".

[Michael]

Blatter has long wanted a biennial World Cup, but there are some very radical proposals there. It amounts to a super league for national teams. As to the CL, we would playing European games every week if they extend the competition. Have these Europeans no understanding of the importance of the Carling Cup? (It's a viable trophy for United)

[Maldini]

None of that will ever happen. It makes good happy thought and will keep the pundits happy as they discuss their new demon.

[Kvarme Ate My Food]

a possible World Cup for clubs once every four years.

 

I'd love that

[Maldini]

None of that will ever happen. It makes good happy thought and will keep the pundits happy as they discuss their new demon.

"Happy thought" should read "copy though"

[Hassony]

I'd love that

isn't that an annual thing now