Jamie Carragher believes players are being 'treated like cattle' after FIFA's announcement of a new 32-team men's Club World Cup.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed this week that the governing body's flagship club competition, which Liverpool won for the first time back in 2019, was set for a mass expansion. Currently incorporating the six continental champions - such as Champions League winners Real Madrid - and the league winners from the host nation, new plans coming into place from 2025 will increase the tournament to 32 teams.
Infantino, who has come in for plenty of criticism during this year's World Cup after a number of media appearances, confirmed on Friday morning his new ambitions, saying: "The new men’s Club World Cup will take place in 2025 and will feature 32 teams, the best teams in the world. The 32-team tournament will go ahead, making it like the current World Cup."
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Liverpool legend Carragher responded to the announcement, voicing his concerns regarding player welfare and calling on European teams to boycott the tournament.
He tweeted: “Like the ridiculous idea of @FIFAWorldCup every two years, this is another one from Infantino. Players need rest at some point, they are getting treated like cattle. FIFA hate the CL & want something similar themselves. European clubs should boycott it.”
Carragher's concerns come amid one of the most congested seasons in history, with post-season Nations League matches and an unprecedented winter World Cup putting players under more physical pressure than ever. Liverpool's Carabao Cup meeting with Manchester City next Thursday, and the other fixtures for that round, come just days after the World Cup final, with Premier League football then back in full swing eight days after Sunday's showpiece between Argentina and France.
Liverpool played a total of 63 games last season as they progressed to the final of the Champions League as well as winning both League and FA Cups. Reds manager Jurgen Klopp has often been vocal in his criticism of the current schedule.
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