By Samindra Kunti in Turin
October 7 – France captain Hugo Lloris (pictured centre) has voiced his opposition to FIFA’s plans to stage the World Cup every two years, arguing that the global finals should be protected as “something rare”.
Speaking in Turin, Italy, on the eve of France’s Nations League semi-final with neighbours Belgium, the Tottenham goalkeeper echoed the sentiments of Les Bleus coach Didier Deschamps in opposing Zurich’s biennial revolution.
“I do not have full information to comment on what is being debated but, personally, I believe that the World Cup should continue to be something rare and be held every four years for it to be protected,” said Lloris.
Previously, Deschamps criticised the proposal, claiming that it would “trivialise” the tournament.
The pair’s concerns are in strong contrast with FIFA’s legends, who after Zurich salesman Arsene Wenger rolled out plans for the biennial tournament, wholeheartedly endorsed the proposal having been gathered together in Doha, Qatar.
French FA president Noel Le Graet does back a biennial World Cup, breaking European ranks. Europe has fiercely opposed FIFA and Wenger.
In the past, European supremo Aleksander Ceferin has warned that Europe and South America are prepared to boycott the biennial World Cup. UEFA has also issued statements, demanding that Zurich hold a proper consultation. The world federation is conducting a feasibility study, but its PR push suggests the outcome of the study is a foregone conclusion.
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