FIFA: the Council approves a "24-team Club World Cup" for 2021 while the ECA remains opposed

"The FIFA Council approved the establishment of a new landmark club competition: a revamped, 24-team FIFA Club World Cup, the pilot edition of which will be held in June and July 2021. The decision was taken today, during the ninth meeting of FIFA's strategic and decision-making body, in Miami (Florida, USA). There were 25 votes in favour of and seven against the proposal," announced the international federation at the end of its Council meeting on 15/03/2019.

"I am very pleased that the Council has taken this decision, to start in 2021 with a new format, from 17/06 to 04/07/2021. From now on the world will see a real Club World Cup where the best teams will compete to crown a real club world champion. Today's decision is to play in place of the Confederations Cup," said Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA on 15/03/2019.

The ECA, chaired by Italian Andrea Agnelli (president of Juventus FC), said he was "firmly opposed to approving an extended Club World Cup as it stands" in a letter to Gianni Infantino obtained by the AFP. According to Andrea Agnelli, no club belonging to the ECA…