Finance guru: Liverpool are ‘going to want compensation’ from Fifa as £10m claim issued
Liverpool will demand an attractive compensation package if they are to take part in FIFA’s new reformatted Club World Cup.
That is the view of finance expert Doctor Dan Plumley, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about world football’s governing body’s plan to create an expanded version of the tournament.
As relayed by BBC Sport on Friday (16 December), FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced that the Club World Cup would involve 32 teams and be hosted every four years from June 2025.
It is likely that the United States, the homeland of current Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group, will stage the inaugural iteration.
The basis on which teams will be awarded a spot in the tournament or what structure the event would take have not yet been disclosed.
Plumley insists that Liverpool, 2019’s Club World Cup champions, will seek a large participation fee before they sign up for the competition.
“They are tied to FIFA as the ultimate governing body,” the Sheffield Hallam University expert told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“The clubs will have a say in this. It comes down to money ultimately. When does it not?
“The proposed time period for this is looking like a summer tournament. Liverpool can earn anything from £10m to £15m for a decent pre-season tour.
“If you want them to play in a Club World Cup, they are going to want compensation for that. They will have a voice in lobbying for or against this.
“FIFA control the competition and if there is a decent financial package on offer, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see the likes of Liverpool there.”
In other news, pundit backs Liverpool to sign Jude Bellingham and World Cup winner after source’s “two signings” reveal.