Sports

Ex-international Tackles FIFA For Staging Club World Cup During AFCON

Published

4 years ago

November 30, 2021

FIFA

Former Egypt international Ahmed Hossam Hussein Abdelhamid, publicly known as Mido, has tackled world governing body FIFA for staging the Club World Cup at the same time as the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

The 18th edition of the Club World Cup, which was earlier scheduled for December, will now be held from February 3 to 12, 2022, in the United Arab Emirates while the Afcon finals will take place from January 9 to February 6 in Cameroon.

Originally, an expanded Club World Cup in China was planned to be held in June and July 2021 but due to fixture congestion caused by the postponement of the 2020 Summer Olympics, and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on football, the Tokyo Olympics, Uefa European Championship and Copa America it was postponed from mid-2020 to mid-2021.

As a result, FIFA announced in March 2020 they would postpone the expanded Club World Cup to later in 2021, 2022, or 2023.

On December 4, 2020, the Fifa Council announced the Club World Cup, using the previous format, would be held in late 2021 and hosted by Japan.

However, on September 8, 2021, the Japan Football Association dropped its commitment to host the tournament, owing to the possibility of restrictions on fan attendance due to the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.

Numerous countries expressed interest in hosting the tournament as bidding was reopened, including Brazil, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates.

On October 20, 2021, the Fifa Council announced the UAE as the host of the tournament and postponed the event from late 2021 to early 2022.

According to Mido, who played for several clubs in the Premier League, including Tottenham Hotspur, Middlesbrough, and West Ham United, the world body has disrespected Africans with the decision.

“FIFA deciding to hold the Club World Cup while Afcon is going on is a sign of disrespect to African football,” former Ajax star tweeted in Ara

“It wouldn’t have been the case with the Euros or Copa America.”

The draw for the competition was conducted on Monday with Chelsea set to face Auckland City, Al Jazira, or Al Hilal in the semi-finals.

Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal will face the winner between hosts Al Jazira and New Zealand side Auckland while Egyptian giants Al Ahly will take on Mexican side Monterrey and the winner will face Copa Libertadores winner Palmeiras in the semis.

Bayern Munich are the defending champions, but will not defend their title after being eliminated in the 2020-21 Uefa Champions League quarter-finals.

African champions Al Ahly take part for a second successive time having finished third in the previous edition.

(PUNCH)

Related Topics:#AFCON Ex-international FIFA

Up Next

Three Premier League Clubs Planning To Snap Up Aribo

Don't Miss

FIFA Announces 11 Nominees For Puskás Award 2021 [Full List]

Comments

Sports

AFCON 2025: Lookman Scores Winner As Super Eagles Start Campaign With 2–1 Victory Over Tanzania

Published

3 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

Ademola Lookman scored what proved to be the decisive goal as Nigeria beat Tanzania 2-1 in their opening game at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Super Eagles came into the match as heavy favourites to win and dominated the opening exchanges.

After coming close a few times, the three-time champions took the lead through Semi Ajayi.

The ball was recycled following a corner-kick, before Alex Iwobi crossed it into the area for Ajayi to head home.

Tanzania equalized after Charles M’Mombwa found himself unmarked inside the area.

But two minutes later, Nigeria struck the winner through Lookman, who took a few touches and finished with his left foot.

Sports

JUST IN: Dembélé Named FIFA Best Men’s Player, Bonmatí Wins Women’s Award

Published

2 weeks ago

December 16, 2025

Editor

Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé has been awarded the FIFA Best Men’s Player for 2025, following a season in which he contributed significantly to both his club and the France national team.

Dembélé, known for his pace, creativity, and goal-scoring ability, played a central role in Paris Saint-Germain’s campaigns across domestic and European competitions. His performances for the national team also helped France secure notable results in international fixtures.

Speaking on the recognition, Dembélé said, “It is a great honour to receive this award. I could not have achieved this without my teammates at PSG and in the national team, whose support has been invaluable.”

In the women’s category, Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí was named FIFA Best Women’s Player for 2025. Bonmatí was influential in Barcelona’s domestic and European campaigns, providing leadership, vision, and creativity in midfield. She also played a key role in Spain’s international successes.

“This award reflects the hard work of my teammates and coaches,” Bonmatí said. “I am grateful for their guidance and support throughout the season.”

The announcements reaffirm FIFA’s recognition of individual excellence in football while highlighting the contributions of players to both club and country.

Sports

Court Fixes Date To Hear Sala Compensation Dispute

Published

3 weeks ago

December 9, 2025

Editor

A commercial court examining the long-running dispute between Cardiff City and French club Nantes over compensation for the death of Emiliano Sala in a plane crash said Monday it would give its decision on March 30 next year.

Sala, a 28-year-old Argentine striker, died when the light aircraft taking him to the Welsh capital came down in the English Channel on January 21, 2019, two days after he had signed for the then-Premier League side. He and pilot David Ibbotson were killed.

The Welsh club took the case to the Nantes commercial court in 2023 to claim compensation for loss of income and other damages suffered by the club as a result of the player’s death.

Following an analysis conducted by an expert appointed by Cardiff City, the club estimated their losses at over 120 million euros ($139.5 million). Lawyers for both clubs made their cases at Monday’s hearing.

The Welsh club argue that Nantes, through their intermediary, agent Willie McKay, were the organisers of the private flight on which the footballer was travelling and that, if the transfer was effective at the time of the accident according to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), it is the organisation of this flight that is at issue.

Cardiff City’s lawyer, Olivier Loizon, told the court Monday, Willie McKay “could not have been unaware of the illegality of the flight”, and argued that the agent had acted with “negligence”.

“Whatever the ultimate cause of the accident, (Sala) should not have been on the flight,” he added.

Nantes’ lawyer, Jerome Marsaudon, insisted Monday the only agent authorised by the club in connection with the transfer was Mark McKay, the son of Willie McKay.

The elder McKay “was simply helping his son, given his extensive experience”, the lawyer said.

“It is sad to see that Cardiff have exploited this tragedy and turned it into a genuine legal farce,” he added. “Nothing in this case justifies holding FC Nantes liable.”

Prior to the start of the hearing, a Nantes representative said the club “have no doubt that Cardiff’s claims will be rejected outright, just like all the others”.

In another case related to the dispute between the two clubs, CAS ruled in 2022 that Sala’s transfer had definitely been finalised at the time of his death.

In 2023, world football’s governing body FIFA ordered Cardiff to pay Nantes the balance of Sala’s transfer fee, which at the time amounted to just over 11 million euros out of a total of 17 million euros.