Italian football maestro Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that his team, Real Madrid, the illustrious Spanish club that recently clinched its 15th UEFA Champions League title, will not partake in the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup next year. The decision is reportedly driven by financial concerns related to the prize money offered by FIFA.
Unlike English clubs, which have voiced concerns about the expanded Club World Cup’s demanding schedule, Ancelotti opposes Real Madrid’s participation in the 2025 tournament set to take place in the United States with 32 teams. His primary reason is the insufficient financial incentives provided by FIFA.
In an interview with the Italian newspaper "Il Giornale" published on Monday, coinciding with his 65th birthday, Ancelotti stated, "FIFA must forget about Real Madrid's participation. Players and clubs will not join this tournament. One match for Real Madrid is worth €20 million, and FIFA wants to give us this amount for the entire tournament. No."
He continued, "Like us, other clubs will reject this invitation (to participate)."
Ancelotti’s stance, which appears personal and not yet officially confirmed by the Spanish football giant, contrasts with the recent position of the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) in England. The PFA has warned FIFA of potential strike actions as players reach a "breaking point" due to the congested match schedules.
FIFA faces mounting pressure to address the issue of elite player fatigue due to overcrowded fixtures, with threats of legal actions looming.
The PFA in England has called for measures to reduce the number of matches, particularly with the planned expansion of the Club World Cup to include 32 teams.
In a recent letter to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the World Leagues Forum and the international players’ union (FIFPro) urged a reevaluation of the new Club World Cup schedule, warning of impending legal measures.
According to the calendar, the Club World Cup is slated to run from June 15 to July 13, 2025.
The letter also mentioned that these scheduling changes have caused "economic damage" to domestic leagues and pushed players "beyond their limits."
Follow the latest news on Google News
