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Football

11th Nov 2021

Premier League confirms unanimous opposition to biennial World Cup plans

Callum Boyle

All 20 Premier League clubs are unanimously opposed to a biennial World Cup

All 20 Premier League clubs have discussed the post-2024 International match calendar reform process and are unanimously against it.

The calendar reform includes plans for a biennial World Cup and extended international breaks, which the Premier League is not in favour of allowing.

As per the Premier League, clubs had concerns over several different areas – which included player welfare, the general experience of supporters wishing to go and the quality of the competitions.

There were also worries that players wouldn’t be able to have a proper pre-season due to the increased schedule.

In an official statement, the Premier League’s Chief Executive, Richard Masters, said: “The Premier League is committed to preventing any radical changes to the post-2024 FIFA International Match Calendar that would adversely affect player welfare and threaten the competitiveness, calendar, structures and traditions of domestic football.

“We are open to reforms and new ideas, but they must enhance the complementary balance between domestic and international football in order to improve the game at all levels.

“This process should also involve meaningful agreements with the leagues that provide the foundations for the game.

“We will continue to work with supporter groups, players, domestic and international stakeholders to find solutions that are in the best interests of football’s long-term future.”

It comes after several calls from high-profile stars, including Arsene Wenger, who has pushed for a biennial World Cup as he believes it is what the younger generation want, claiming that they ‘want to be entertained much more.’