Yahoo Finance South American giants hit out at ‘unjustified’ plan for World Cup every two years in major blow to FIFA
FIFA’s plan to hold a World Cup every two years received a further blow after the South American football association condemned the plans as ‘unjustified’.
European countries have already voiced their opposition to the plan with a statement from CONMEBOL also pitching themselves against the proposal, overseen by former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
An in-person meeting in Paraguay on Wednesday led to the 10 South American nations, including Brazil and Argentina, deciding against the plan - although any FIFA vote will see all countries given a single vote, potentially allowing less prolific regions to make their opinion known.
A CONMEBOL statement said: "There are no reasons, benefits or justification for the change promoted by FIFA. In view of this, the 10 countries that make up CONMEBOL confirm that they will not participate in a World Cup organised every two years.
"The project in question turns its back on almost 100 years of world football tradition, ignoring the history of one of the most important sporting events on the planet.
"CONMEBOL supports the World Cup currently in force, with its terms and classification systems, because it has proven to be a successful model, based on sporting excellence and that rewards effort, talent and planned work."
Closing the gap between World Cups from four years to two has already been met with widespread opposition, including from the International Olympic Committee.
UEFA has said it would stand against them ‘until common sense prevails and they are dropped’ while last week FIFA's proposals to reshape the international calendar were firmly rejected by European Leagues.
The Premier League, EFL and SPFL are among its members and European Leagues managing director Jacco Swart said Wenger's proposals created a ‘severe shift’ in the balance between club and national team football in sporting terms and in economic value.
Additional reporting by PA Media.
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