‘FIFA forced to act over Chelsea and Man City fan decisions’
Man City and Chelsea fans have forced FIFA to act over their new version of the Club World Cup, reports the Daily Mail.
FIFA announced that their new tournament would be hosted in the summer, as opposed to the winter when it has historically been held.
However, as reported by the Daily Mail, FIFA now face the prospect of partially-empty stadiums at the Club World Cup in June.
Man City’s opener against Wyad Casablanca in Philadelphia currently has tickets free in most sections of the stadium.
It is a similar story for Chelsea’s match against Mexican side, Club Leon, as almost the entire upper tier of the stadium is still available.
FIFA have responded by slashing ticket prices, in a move they insist is aimed at rewarding the loyalty of travelling fans to the USA, rather than as a result of the lack of interest in the games.
The cheapest tickets for the final of the tournament were initially priced at $892 (£717), but have been dropped to $300 (£241).
Club World Cup no huge draw for Chelsea and Man City fans
Football Insider Verdict
The principle behind the changes to the Club World Cup are sound from a sporting point of view, but as ever, the price of football continues to be a sticking point.
Having what is essentially a pre-season tournament played out between the best teams from each continent to crown a winner, could be exciting.
For a side like Man City, the previous iteration of the tournament was an awkward interlude to their regularly scheduled title charge.
This season however, things are a little different, as the Sky Blues are way off the pace in both the league, and the Champions League.
Pep Guardiola will be hoping his side can use the tournament to springboard another title winning campaign, and give his new January signings a chance to properly bed in with his tactical system.
Whilst Omar Marmoush has impressed since joining, Abdukodir Khusanov had a nightmare debut against Chelsea, having been signed from Lens in January.
Enzo Maresca can use summer to settle huge Chelsea squad
Whilst City may use the Club World Cup to bed in their new players, Chelsea may be looking at who they can shift out in June.
Thanks to the fact that an exceptional transfer window has been created by FIFA, the Blues will have a chance to sell some of their deadwood before the transfer window opens for other clubs around the world, and a surplus of unwanted players hit the market.
Joao Felix and Carney Chukwuemeka are set to return before the Club World Cup, and both players may be used by Enzo Maresca as a showcase to other teams, if they have not agreed an exit prior to their trip to the USA.
Additionally, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is set to leave Chelsea in the summer, if the Blues can find a suitor for the former Leicester man.