Blatter calls for biennial Cup

Major changes in the format of international football, were foreshadowed yesterday in a proposal by FIFA's president, Sepp Blatter that the finals of the World Cup should be staged every two years.

Blatter's revolutionary plan is seen as a direct response to the threat posed by the establishment of a European Super League for clubs within the next two years.

Among other things, it would, if adopted, mean the scrapping of the European Championships, a move which would put further strain on FIFA's difficult working relationship with UEFA, already tense after the acrimonious election campaign to appoint a successor to the retiring FIFA President, Dr Joao Havelange last June.

The initial reaction from Europe and Africa to Blatter's plan has been hostile, however, and it is likely to be vetoed on January 27th, when members of the executive committees of both continental bodies, who hold the balance of power in FIFA, meet in Cape Town.

Blatter's proposal, currently being studied by FIFA's executive committee, would effectively reduce the continental championships to qualifying competitions for the World Cup.

They would be held in odd numbered years with the leading teams on each continent progressing to the World Cup finals the following year. Although refraining from comment on how the continental championships could be staged in the space of just 12 months, Blatter was enthusiastic about the viability of the proposed change.

"I want a football world championship held every two years. Then the national teams will get the rankings they deserve," he said. "The existing four-yearly tournament is out of date. It dates from the 1930s when teams chugged from one continent to another on ships."

Stressing that national federations would find it increasingly difficult to obtain the release of players if the European Super League went ahead, he added: "I am demanding a clear statement. Do we want national teams or do we want club football?"

Although the proposal has already been debated by FIFA's executive committee, yesterday's revelations, contained in an interview with the Swiss newspaper, Sonntags Blick, were a surprise to UEFA, further evidence of the deteriorating relationship between two of the game's super powers.

"This is news to me and as far as I know nobody in UEFA is aware of it," said Des Casey, a member of UEFA's executive committee. "Personally, I would have grave reservations about any such change. It's fine to suggest that the European Championship could be retained in a different format but in a crowded calendar, something would have to give to facilitate a World Cup tournament every two years."

"Nor would it put more money into the coffers of the national federations. To this point they have done just as well financially, out of the European championship as they have from the World Cup."

Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy gave a guarded welcome to the proposal.

"Anything which boosts the image of the game at international level is welcome but like everybody else, I would need a lot more detail abut this proposal before I could accept it," he said.

"I attended a meeting of national team managers in Germany in the year just ended and the same concerns were echoed over and over again, that international football is now playing second fiddle to the game at club level.

"The big clubs are becoming ever more powerful but it should not be at the expense of international football. There is still nothing to compare with the spectacle of two international teams, with all the best players, competing in a big game."

Given the tight time span involved, the revised continental championships, under the format envisaged by FIFA, could only be staged on a straight knock-out basis. And that would have serious funding implications for the smaller nations who depend heavily on revenue from international fixtures to finance their operations.

Among those quick to voice their misgivings was Bobby Charlton, an influential voice in FIFA, who said he was not immediately impressed by the prospect of a biennial tournament.

"I don't see how it could work, for there wouldn't be time for teams to qualify," he said. "My personal opinion is that every four years is often enough, because it's something you look forward to.

"When a proposal like this comes from Sepp Blatter, you have to take it seriously because he won't have said it lightly. But my own feeling is that it wouldn't have the same attraction and that would be very sad."