Europe's top clubs accuse FIFA of trying to "railroad" plans for a biennial World Cup, which they claim will have a "destructive impact" on the club game.
The European Club Association represents 234 clubs, and is headed by Nasser Al-Khelaifi (Paris Saint-Germain owner). It believes that there has been a lack of consultation regarding proposed reforms to International Match Calendar (IMC).
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Gianni Infantino, FIFA president, is keen to have a World Cup every other year. This view was supported by a series interviews with Arsene Wenger (former Arsenal manager) and Arsene Wenger (chief of Global Football Development).
Friday's statement by the ECA stated that this was a coordinated campaign. It also suggested that FIFA may have breached a memorandum regarding clubs' relations with each other in case of significant changes.
The statement stated that the ECA has made it clear that the IMC needs to be changed. A modernised, simpler IMC must be based on shorter release windows, better player protection and more balanced approaches to international and club football.
"ECA has stated publicly, privately, and repeatedly that it is open to engaging with FIFA to discuss these changes.
"ECA has followed FIFA's active PR campaigns with alarm and much pretence. It appears to be trying to push through reforms to IMC, including the introduction of a biennial World Cup.
"Aside the apparent lack of genuine [or even any] consultation, as many stakeholders have pointed to in recent days," FIFA's proposals will have a direct, destructive impact on the club sport, both domestically, and internationally.
"In addition, these proposals could put players' well-being and health at risk. They would reduce the value and significance of country and club competitions.
"They would reduce and conflict with women’s and youth soccer -- underrepresented areas where ECA and other players are committing significant talent, time and resources -- while also subordinating all sporting tournaments worldwide."
UEFA also criticized the proposal, citing concerns about player welfare and prestige.
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Infantino gave Wenger the task of performing a feasibility report. This was done to determine how to improve the calendar. A summit will be held Sept. 30 to discuss the possibility of confederation tournaments in odd-years that are not part of the biennial World Cups. Players can also have guaranteed rest periods of 25 day after the tournaments are over.
There are no changes that can be made before 2024. The ECA must approve any player who wants to compete internationally.
Wenger spoke to BBC earlier this week and stated that "After the World Cup every 2 years sometimes there is an emotional response."
"I am not surprised. After seeing my proposal, many people who were initially against it changed their minds.
"Some people judge only on World Cup years, and it was more emotional than that because 'we've all grown-up in that cycle. I can understand that."
"But, many negative responses came out because they hadn't fully understood the concept. This concept, which is held every two years, only makes sense if the entire proposal is understood and the qualifiers are grouped together.
