LAUSANNE
\nThe International Olympic Committee on Saturday hit out at FIFA\u2019s controversial plans to hold the men\u2019s football World Cup every two years, expressing concerns on the impact it could have on other sports.
\nThe project, which has the backing of former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger who now works for FIFA, has come in for heavy criticism from continental federations UEFA and CONMEBOL, as well as coaches and pundits.
\nThe IOC added its voice to those opposing the proposals, saying that many sports federations had spoken out against the idea.
\n\u201cThe Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) takes note of FIFA\u2019s plans to change the football competition schedule and to hold the World Cup every two years,\u201d the IOC said in a statement.
\n\u201cA number of International Federations (IFs) of other sports, national football federations, clubs, players, players associations and coaches have expressed strong reservations and concerns regarding the plans to generate more revenue for FIFA.\u201d
\nThe IOC listed the \u201cimpact on other sports\u201d, \u201cchallenges for the further promotion of women\u2019s football\u201d and a \u201cfurther massive strain\u201d on players\u2019 health as reasons not to play the World Cup more regularly.
\n\u201cThe IOC shares these concerns and supports the calls of stakeholders of football, international sports federations and major event organisers for a wider consultation, including with athletes\u2019 representatives, which has obviously not taken place,\u201d the statement added.
\nThe World Cup has been played every four years, apart from cancellations during World War II, since the inaugural edition in 1930.
\nFIFA also wants continental championships, including the Euro and Copa America, to be played every two years.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LAUSANNE The International Olympic Committee on Saturday hit out at FIFA\u2019s controversial plans to hold the men\u2019s football World Cup every two years, expressing concerns on the impact it could have on other sports. The project, which has the backing of former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger who now works for FIFA, has come in for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-222273","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-sports"],"yoast_head":"\n