PREM boss Richard Masters has warned Fifa and Uefa that the top flight will NEVER be reduced to 18 clubs – unless it WANTS to.
Major European leagues including the Prem and LaLiga fear the expansion of club competitions will have a detrimental effect on domestic leagues.
GettyRichard Masters has warned Fifa and Uefa that the top flight will never be reduced to 18 clubs[/caption]
ReutersFifa are already talking about making their new 32-team Club World Cup into a 48 or 64-side competition[/caption]
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Fifa are already talking about making their new 32-team Club World Cup into a 48 or 64-side competition next time, while it is believed the Champions League may move to 10 games in the league phase from the current eight – which now runs from September to January – inside a decade.
But speaking in Chicago during the Prem’s Summer Series involving Manchester United, Bournemouth, Everton and West Ham, chief executive Masters gave his strong stance against any efforts to force a reduction.
Masters said: “First of all, congratulations to Chelsea. It is great to have an English club winning it.
“We know Fifa will be looking at the competition now, the first iteration. The jury is out about the competitiveness of the format and the scheduling and the underlying economics.
“It is not my job to assess the success or otherwise of the Club World Cup.
“But it is my job to assess whether these new competitions have an impact on the domestic calendar and domestic competitions, of which the Premier League is one.
“Since 1994, the Premier League has been 380 matches, 20 clubs.
“We haven’t changed shape at all and we are now starting to redesign our domestic calendar at the altar of European and international expansion and global expansion in Fifa competitions.”
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While the Prem was originally designed to be reduced from 22 clubs to 18 when it was founded three decades ago, the change stuck at the 20 sides agreed for the 1995-96 season.
Masters, though, pointed out: “FA Cup replays don’t take place now because there is no room in the schedule.
“We are starting our season a week later than we normally do because we have recognised the fact that Fifa competitions are getting bigger.
“There is a 48-team World Cup next summer, so we are asking the players to play in more matches.
“My job is to ensure the Premier League remains as competitive as possible.
“I want players to be fully available to take part in league matches. That is my concern.
“There has to be a proper dialogue between Fifa and all the stakeholders about how these things go forward.
“That has been sadly missing. It is not the same with Uefa. We do get to talk and we can feel our voice in the decisions they come to.
“We may not be happy about everything that is put forward but at least we have a seat at the table and a discussion via the European Leagues forum.
“Player welfare is a concern, congestion in the calendar is a concern and proper dialogue is the only answer.
“But I don’t think we should be forced into that decision on the number of club. We should be able to self determine that situation.
“The Premier League hasn’t changed shape. I am all for the growth of the game. I am all for exciting competitions our clubs can participate in, but not at the expense of domestic football.”
