Archive July 2, 2025

The Club World Cup is devaluing football because players cannot perform properly, according to Professional Footballers ‘ Association chief executive Maheta Molango.

High temperatures have impacted players, while low crowds have also been a factor in Fifa’s extended competition in America.

Ten Juventus players asked to be substituted during their 1-0 defeat by Real Madrid, with the last-16 game in Miami on Tuesday played in temperatures reaching 30C and humidity of 70%.

Borussia Dortmund’s substitutes also spent the first half of their game against Mamelodi Sundowns last month watching from the dressing room because of the heat.

Six matches have had to be suspended because of thunderstorms, including a two-hour delay in Chelsea’s last-16 win over Benfica.

It means, less than a year before the start of the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, Molango is worried by how the competition is impacting the players and the sport.

“We’re devaluing the product and it’s a shame because if I’m a US fan and that’s my first exposure to soccer, that’s not good”, he said.

“We need to be mindful we’re competing with other sports and they’re very good at entertainment. Then it becomes a very poor comparison.

” We’ve reached a stage where the quality is dropping, because there’s no way you can have a good game if you play at 4pm in Mexico.

“It’s impossible, because the players themselves say to you ‘ I cannot. I need to manage my efforts” – which would mean what you see on the pitch is not good, the audiences drop, it’s as simple as that. This is all about money.

“My hope is that people now, even from a pure business perspective, will see that it does not make sense”.

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp called the competition “the worst idea ever implemented in football”, and days before the tournament, global players ‘ union Fifpro released a report saying players should be allowed at least a four-week off-season break.

“It’s this feeling of accumulation of competitions that just do not talk to each other and create a calendar that is just nonsensical”, added Molango.

“Let’s see what happens in October, November]to players] – that’s when you’re going to start seeing because you pay the price. This Club World Cup gives us a chance to start looking at the bigger picture”.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola understood Klopp’s position, but felt competing in the Club World Cup was the price of success.

Fifa has also defended itself with senior sources from the governing body telling BBC Sport last month the protection of player welfare has been at the core of decision-making, pointing to initiatives such as additional substitutes and permanent concussion subs.

Suggestions the competition has contributed to further congestion in the fixture calendar were firmly dismissed, with a source saying it was “not caused by the Club World Cup”.

It was pointed out a maximum of seven Club World Cup games will be played by two teams every four years, with the slot for the competition replacing the one previously used for the Fifa Confederations Cup.

The extended competition was a main trigger for a joint legal action last year by the PFA, along with the French and Italian players ‘ unions, against Fifa over the “overloaded and unworkable” football calendar. A hearing on that is likely to be held early next year.

It came before the top European leagues and players ‘ union Fifpro filed a legal complaint against Fifa with the European Commission over what it claims is an “abuse of dominance” by world football’s governing body.

“This is much more of a political one. It’s fair to say we are pretty confident the Commission will show an interest in probably taking the case, which is unusual”, Molango added.

Andy Farrell heaped praise on Wales flanker Jac Morgan and joked he can play “wherever he wants” in the British and Irish Lions back row after a man-of-the-match display in the win over Queensland Reds.

Morgan strengthened his claim for a Test start as he produced a stellar display for the tourists in their 52-12 victory in Brisbane on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old impressed in a familiar role at seven, but Lions head coach Farrell suggested the versatile forward could also be deployed at six or even number eight.

“He was everywhere. His offloading game was great, he was aggressive with his hitting”, said Farrell.

“He’ll be delighted. The competition has started and there are reactions all over the place to come.

” If he plays like he did today, he can play wherever he wants. “

Farrell was waxing lyrical for good reason.

Morgan powered over for a try and carried for 44 metres – the most of any forward on the field.

He was equally effective in defence, making three turnovers and joining captain Maro Itoje and number eight Jack Conan with a game-high 18 tackles.

Morgan is in fierce competition with England stalwart Tom Curry, Ireland’s former World Rugby player of the year Josh van der Flier and high-octane youngster Henry Pollock as the recognised open-side flankers.

Ireland captain Caelan Doris ‘ absence from the tour, though, means there is not yet a standout candidate for the number eight role, with Conan and Englishman Ben Earl the leading contenders.

Ospreys ‘ Morgan, the only remaining Wales player in the squad following Tomos Williams ‘ tour-ending injury, has no problem playing in an alternative position.

” I want to try and be as versatile as possible, “Morgan told BBC Sport.

Morgan’s high-energy displays are doing the talking on the pitch, but it appears he is looking to slow down how he communicates off it.

Welsh representation was already at a premium before scrum-half Williams suffered an unfortunate hamstring injury during Saturday’s win over Western Force.

” I’ve got to slow down a little bit, “said Morgan, laughing.

” Sometimes when I’m speaking, it]the accent] can be a bit too strong so I have to slow down. “

Despite the occasional communication issue, Morgan says the squad is bonding well.

” They are all good boys, “said Morgan.

” I had spoken to a couple of boys]former Lions] before and they said to go with an open mind and get to know everyone and there are loads of great boys here, which makes it easier – I’m really enjoying it.

“We all really get on. The good thing about the squad is whatever team goes out, everybody is focused on that team and making sure those boys are ready for the game”.

Morgan also paid tribute to compatriot Williams, who was in contention for a Test cap after a couple of influential performances from number nine.

He added: “I was gutted losing Tomos. He has had a great season for Gloucester and he had been brilliant here as well.