Stars & gripes but this show's sure to go on

THE fans are not showing up in huge numbers and the action is pre-season friendly standard.

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But the Club World Cup is here to stay. Why? Because FIFA and Saudi Arabia want it to be a success.

And when you have a bottomless pit of cash, then there's always a way to make sure something sticks around.

There were just 3,412 fans at one game this week, while around 22,000 watched Premier League giants Chelsea against Los Angeles FC in Atlanta.

No jokes about who would want to watch Chelsea anyway, please.

Attendances will grow as the tournament goes on and the likes of Real Madrid, with their array of superstars like Kylian Mbappe, take on another big club in the knockout stages.

And no doubt the winners next month will hail it as one of their greatest achievements.