ST. GALLEN (Ekstra Bladet): Åge Hareide is not thrilled with the development in international football.
He is sincerely concerned for the players well in the future. There is also good reason to.
FIFA, the international football association, is planning a club WORLD cup as well as an extension of the WORLD cup finals from 32 to 48 teams already with effect from 2022. It should, however, first konfirmeres at the FIFA congress in June.
However, from 2026 it is almost certainly that the WORLD cup will be with 48 nations.
the Signal is not to be mistaken. Players need to be burdened further by the terms of the commercial revenue to the soccer ball.
Åge Hareide, here in conversation with the captain, Simon Kjær, is concerned on the players ‘ behalf, if FIFA expands with a club WORLD cup and an extension of the WORLD cup to 48 nations. Photo: Lars Poulsen.
– I think the bow will be stretched too hard. I am worried and scared for the players that already play very many matches. They do not get time to work out, says national coach Åge Hareide.
He understands the economic interests, but he is concerned about the development of football in the long term.
– Exclusive clubs must play in their own league. One must be careful not to destroy the national leagues. The joy and patriotism disappears.
– the VM will also be heavily diluted, if there is to join 48 nations. There will be more poorer teams. The soccer ball will be devalued. It is a proof that the power of money takes over the steering in the football.
– I can well understand that in the asian and african federations are pushing for more teams for the WORLD cup. Africa had no nations, there came forward from the latest settlement and in Asia, there are large commercial interests at stake, believes the national coach.