Union chief says FIFA didn't show respect or sensitivity to players

FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino have been accused of acting “without dialogue, without sensitivity and without respect” for players in their staging of the Club World Cup.

- Jamie GARDNER

The controversial 32-team tournament came to a close on Sunday with Chelsea causing an upset with a 3-0 win over European champions Paris St Germain.

Infantino has hailed the competition hosted in the United States as a success, but concerns have been raised around player welfare, with some matches being played in extreme heat and the tournament providing limited time for players to rest before preparing for the new season.

Sergio Marchi, the president of world players' union FIFPro, accused FIFA of choosing to “continue increasing its income at the expense of the players' bodies and health”, likened its approach to the ‘bread and circuses’ tactics used by Emperor Nero in ancient Rome and warned there could be no repeat of playing matches in such extreme heat at next summer's World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.