September 09, (THEWILL) – Arsene Wenger has defended FIFA’s plans to hold the men’s and women’s World Cups every two years. The Frenchman went as far as to call it the “right solution” for modern football as currently structured.
As THEWILL reported, FIFA is conducting a feasibility study into the possibility of making World Cups biennial events, following a request from the Saudi Arabian Football Federation in May.
Wenger, who is FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, has been open about his support for such plans. On Thursday, he insisted that the reaction to the proposal has been “very positive.”
However, his position is open to query as several football organisations, including European Leagues and the World Leagues Forum, have sided with UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin in stating their opposition to the idea as conceived.
Wenger holds that the all-round feedback is in favour. He said: “Overall, I think I have got a very positive response. But this decision is a democratic decision and will certainly be made by the 211 countries affiliated to FIFA.
“I think that we continue to consult people and that’s an ongoing process that will happen until December. After that, it’s down to all the federations to decide what will happen.
”I am not hesitant at all, I’m 100 per cent convinced that what I propose is the right solution for the modern way to organise football.”
At the moment, however, FIFA’s proposals remain part of a review of the global football calendar and not just the World Cup.
Gareth Southgate, the England coach, has met with Wenger to discuss the plans. He admits he is open-minded about the proposals but warned against adding to players’ workload.
The former Arsenal manager averred that he would have accepted this proposal “with two hands” if he was still managing a clubside. He argues that it will create a more defined separation between the domestic and international game.
“I believe if I was inside the club I would sign with two hands for that programme because it would give me time to have the players at [my] disposal, get their focus on what is important for the club.
“Overall, I would say that better separation between club and international football would improve the quality of the concentration on both sides,” he said
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
