Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, February 02, 2003
FIFA Insisted to Hold Club World Championship in 2005
The Federation International de Football Association (FIFA) insisted on Friday that it had no intention of changing its plans to launch the Club World Championship in 2005 again, despite the strong opposition of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).
The Federation International de Football Association (FIFA) insisted on Friday that it had no intention of changing its plans to launch the Club World Championship in 2005 again, despite the strong opposition of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).
FIFA spokesman Markus Siegler said that the Executive Committeehad decided to hold the Club World Championships in 2005 and FIFA had formed a respective committee for the Championships.
FIFA said it had taken note of a news release issued by UEFA onThursday, saying that its European Club Forum Board --comprising the top 102 clubs -- opposed the re-launch of the championship.
The clubs' statement said that they didn't believe that there was a need for the Championships among European clubs, fans, players or commercial partners.
However, on other continents, clubs welcome the competition as it gives them a chance to compete against the top clubs like Real Madrid, or Manchester United or Bayern Munich.
The Club World Championship, involving eight teams, was held for the first time in 2000 in Rio de Janeiro where Corinthians of Brazil won the title.