Kieran Maguire: Leeds ‘worried’ as Radrizzani joins forces with Man City against ‘mafioso’ group
FIFA’s plans to hold the World Cup every two years could have a severe impact on clubs like Leeds United.
So says finance expert Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Arsene Wenger’s controversial proposition.
The former Arsenal manager, who is now FIFA’s head of global football development, will soon unveil plans for a revamped biennial tournament.
As quoted The Times on 7 September, Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani and Man City chief executive Ferran Soriano are opposed to the idea.
Soriano insisted there is “no room” for a revised tournament, while Radrizzani claimed there is a “disconnect” between FIFA and the club game.
Maguire predicts that more a more frequent World Cup cycle could be detrimental to the Premier League and to Leeds.
“I think Leeds are trying to protect their assets,” he told Football Insider correspondent Adam Williams.
“If the biennial World Cup is introduced, something will have to be sacrificed.
“If FIFA want a 48-team World Cup and an expanded world club competition, that will boost their coffers.
“FIFA is a mafioso-style organisation, in my opinion. You only have to look at its history of corruption.
“There are many FIFA members who are reliant on the annual handout, and those handouts are bigger in World Cup years.
“I think Leeds are saying that if there is change, something else has to be given up.
“Remember, we now have the bloated monstrosity of the Swiss model Champions League.
“The Nations League would probably have to go and there would be more pressure to have a smaller Premier League.
“An 18-team Premier League will have the likes of Leeds, Aston Villa, Everton, clubs that are ambitious and have a good domestic following, worried.
“They benefit from having more matches in the Premier League.”
In other news, Leeds United line up new offer for midfielder after £13million offer rejected.