FIFA is backing an incredible proposal for a global football competition that would feature club teams competing against one another. Football’s governing body has approached the world’s richest club Real Madrid over the proposed deal along with CVC Capital Partners, an investment group.

While FIFA and Real Madrid are discussing the idea of a global football club competition that would resemble a traditional domestic league, others including UEFA have moved to denounce the forming of such a league. The plan would change top-level club football as it is known and damage competitions such as the Premier League, Bundesliga, and Champions League.

Clubs in England and Italy have already spoken against the proposal with one stating that there will be a backlash if such a league was established.

FIFA is interested in challenging the popularity of European club competitions such as the Champions League. The organisation wants its revamped Club World Cup to rival the Champions League and been more interesting to the world’s audience.

The new Club World Cup will be increased to 24 teams and will be played in China from 2021. The new tournament will pack in even more football causing potential damage to player health. Following the European football calendar for the biggest teams, the Club World Cup will be played in June and July. This means clubs in Spain, England, France, and Italy, and Germany will play for 12 straight months if they qualify for the Club World Cup.

The addition of such competitions and the increase in international competitions show that FIFA does not have the players’, coaches’, or clubs’ best interests in mind.

With the Club World Cup unloved by most fans already, it is unlikely that it will be seen as anything but a money grab by FIFA.