Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has slammed the FIFA Club World Cup, labelling it as ‘the worst idea ever implemented in football’.
Klopp won the FIFA Club World Cup with Liverpool in 2019; however, the Premier League giants are not competing in the current edition of the tournament due to the complex selection process, as Manchester City and Chelsea are the representatives of the United Kingdom in the event.
The Club World Cup, which used to be a seven-team tournament, has been revamped by the international football governing body FIFA to a 32-team format from the ongoing edition.
Along with the tournament’s format, Klopp has raised concerns over players’ physical burden and injury fears.
Speaking in an interview with a German outlet, Welt, Klopp criticised the FIFA management, describing the Club World Cup as the ‘worst idea’.
“The Club World Cup is the worst idea ever implemented in football in this regard. People who have never had anything to do with day-to-day business are coming up with ideas,” Klopp said.
“I understand those who say: But there are insane sums of money for participation. But that’s not for every club. Last year it was the Copa and the Euro, this year the Club World Cup, and next year the World Cup,” Klopp said,” he added.
Klopp continued criticising by raising concerns over players’ physical and mental health, saying tournaments like these can not be played on the backs of the players.
“That means no real recovery for the players involved, neither physically nor mentally. Of course, they all earn a lot of money. But let’s leave that aside for a moment,” Klopp said.
“A player in the NBA who also earns a lot of money has four months off every year. Virgil van Dijk hasn’t even had that in his entire career.
“Tournaments like the Club World Cup can’t be played on the backs of the players. I don’t wish it on anyone, but I have a serious fear.”
The FIFA Club World Cup started on June 14, just two weeks after the UEFA Champions League Final between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Inter Milan, which PSG won by 5-0. The final of the event will take place on July 13 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, a few weeks ahead of the next season.
