Fifa's plan to push ahead with expanded Club World Cup

Regulation does not need to be heavy-handed, just delegate powers to fan groups, so we're able to veto damaging pointless initiatives like this one.

It's hilarious to think of people trusting in Government to solve the problems of a mega-rich private club that's composed of a 20-member self-governing multi-billon pound entertainment cartel... but maybe one day!

Could be an interesting power play developing between Fifa and the Premier League…

I don't really see how Fifa can dictate the size of the Premier League, surely that would be more in the domain of Uefa, although I doubt they could determine the size of the Premier League.

But I think it's unlikely that Uefa or Fifa could directly force the Premier League to reduce the number of teams to 18. Here's why:

Limited Control: The Premier League is a private limited company governed by its member clubs, not directly by Fifa or Uefa. While these organizations hold influence, they don't have absolute control over the league's structure.

Financial Implications: Reducing teams would impact revenue streams for relegated clubs, broadcasters, and potentially the league itself. The Premier League would likely resist such a move.

Legal Challenges: A forced reduction could be challenged legally by the Premier League or affected clubs.

However, there are indirect ways Fifa or Uefa could influence a change:

Regulations: These organizations could introduce regulations that make it more difficult for larger leagues to operate, such as scheduling restrictions or financial fair play limitations.

Persuasion: Through discussions and proposals, they could convince the Premier League that reducing teams is beneficial for player welfare or competitive balance.

Recent Discussions: There have been discussions about reducing top leagues to ease fixture congestion, but these haven't materialized into concrete actions. The Italian Serie A recently rejected a similar proposal.

Overall, while Fifa and Uefa have influence, forcing a reduction seems unlikely. The Premier League would likely have a say and could potentially take legal action.

Wasn't something similar said when the Football League wouldn't reduce the old 1st Division to 20 teams from 22 and there was the unsaid threat of reducing the number of English clubs that would be allowed into European competitions?

It all just seems a fight for control of TV rights and payments, the Hhaves v the have nots.

Every season we have the teams in Europe trotting out their managers crying “We play too many games... The players are tired.”

Then the FA (complete shithouses) interfere with the League Cup, taking away all replays, to help those teams. Then we get this Club World Cup competition thrown in the mix.

Let's see how many players say, “Fuck off, I'm not going.” Let's see how many managers say, “No, my players need a rest.”

I despise the Champions League, it was a far better competition when it was just Champions in it and it was a straight-legged affair instead of the boring g group stage with the inevitable whipping boys in each group.

The last Champions League game I watched was Liverpool losing to Real Madrid and Bale's overhead kick, and I honestly won't watch it again unless we miraculously qualify

We can get our league back, and bring back cup replays.

Some might say be a big impact them not being in our league, but who would have imagined a league without the likes of Leeds, Sheff Weds, even Preston North End and the likes before the Premier league era.

Our league would survive for sure, they would get their Kerry Packer style league, we may finally get our football back in a more competitive league, without the haves and have nots.