close
Thursday, February 3, 2022

IOC delegates slam FIFA’s biennial World Cup plan

“The plan would create immeasurable damage and would put sport in danger and, in particular, football,” said Berraf. “It would simply push away other sports…”

• February 3, 2022
FIFA WORLD CUP
FIFA World Cup trophy used to illustrate the story [Photo credit: ESPN]

Members of the International Olympics Committee have strongly kicked against FIFA’s plan to host the World Cup every two years, claiming it would cause “immeasurable damage” to world sport.

Speaking at the 139th IOC Congress presently holding in Beijing, three delegates attacked Infantino’s idea before IOC president Thomas Bach cut in to stop anyone else from raising further criticisms because the FIFA president Gianni Infantino had not joined the congress.

The National Olympic Committees of Africa president Mustapha Berraf was one of the three who spoke up against the biennial competition, claiming that the new format would have a heavy impact on the continent and football in general.

“The plan would create immeasurable damage and would put sport in danger and, in particular, football,” said Berraf. “It would simply push away other sports and relegate them to the backbenches, which is unacceptable and create a rift between women’s and men’s sport and be a setback to our aim of creating equity and parity for all sports.”

While making his submission, Berraf added that footballers “already play so many games as it is and that they are not robots.” 

“I make the request to put an end to this endeavour which is incompatible with our Olympic values,” he explained.

Berraf’s opposition to FIFA’s plan to host the World Cup biennially came on the heels of Infantino claiming that the new format could help African migrants from finding “death in the sea.”

More from Peoples Gazette

Economy

Buhari regime will continue to borrow without subsidy removal: Femi Adesina

“You know how much could have been saved if the subsidy was removed and how it could have been diverted to other areas and spheres of national life.

Shari'a law

States

Court orders Kano govt to recall witness over alleged blasphemy

A sheikh, Abduljabbar Nasiru-Kabara is accused of blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad, committed on August 10, October 25 and December 20, 2019.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull

Sport

Formula 1: Red Bull set to become first to reveal 2022 car

The 2022 car, dubbed ‘RB18′, will be launched on Wednesday, February 3, 2022.

Salah and Abubakar

Hot news Home top

Mohammed Salah does not impress me, Vincent Aboubakar says

“He is a good player but not at the level of someone like Mbappe.”

Nana Akufo-Addo

Africa

Mali’s ‘contagious’ coup may influence other West African countries: ECOWAS

Leaders of the West African bloc want the trend contained, fearing a negative impact capable of devastating other countries of the region.

Protest in Kwara over hijab

Education

Many injured in Kwara as protest breaks out over use of hijab in Baptist High School

The government had directed management of schools in the state to allow the use of hijab by willing Muslims.

Sammie Okposo

Faith

Infidelity: We are all sinners; save your critical comments for yourself, Sammie Okposo hits critics

“If you have ever committed a sin in your life you have no moral justification or capacity to judge me.”