According to reports, PSG's president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, is set to discuss a potential Club World Cup Boycott, if drastic changes are not made before then.
It's safe to say that in terms of the product on the pitch, we all enjoyed the FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. We enjoyed seeing PSG midfielder Fabian Ruiz win the World Cup with Spain.
It will always be the best sporting event on the planet. We all love it in general. However, what we do not like so much is all the noise that comes along with it, and that has never been more apparent than this summer.
With the World Cup taking place in the USA, it was dominated by off the pitch noise. The biggest talking point of a World Cup should be what happens on the pitch. A great goal, a great save, a last ditch tackle. A perfect pass. All of that, you get the idea.
But this year, it was not that. Indeed not, it was the unprecedented reversal of the red card received by Folarin Balogun during the USA's 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32.
We were reminded as soon as the red card occurred that, at the World Cup, suspensions cannot be rescinded. Pretty straightforward. Yet, on this occasion, Balogun was cleared to play in the round of 16, where the USA lost 4-1 to Belgium anyway. Despite denial that Donald Trump was involved in the decision, it was clear both from his media interviews and simple common sense that he was entirely involved.
This, and a number of other reasons - namely the idea of selling shares of the World Cup to private investors, has lead to people claiming that the position of current FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, is untenable. Last week, all 53 UEFA Nations confirmed they would boycott the 2030 World Cup if Infantino went ahead with the plans to sell shares of the World Cup.
Just days later, it was confirmed that he had been caught with his tail between his legs, and that the decision was reversed. So, it is very clear for all to see that he is feeling the pressure.
According to Ben Jacobs, UEFA president Alexsander Ceferin and PSG owner, Nasser Al-Khelaifi are planning to meet in Salzburg on August the 12th (when PSG play Aston Villa there in the UEFA Super Cup), to discuss a potential Club World Cup 2029 boycott if Infantino remains the FIFA president.
Good to see, fair play to them for taking a stance. It worked regarding the ideas to sell World Cup shares, so it could work here too. It is worth noting that the 77th FIFA congress will take place in Rabat, Morocco on the 18th of March next year, where the FIFA presidential election will take place. Candidates have until the 18th of November to submit their proposals. Let's hope a new president comes in.
