Coronavirus: Gianni Infantino says Fifa open to idea of moving 2021 Club World Cup

Both the European Championship and the Copa America have been pushed back 12 months to 2021

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - UEFA Congress - Beurs van Berlage Conference Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands - March 3, 2020   FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the UEFA Congress   REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo
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Fifa President Gianni Infantino has said that he is open to moving the dates for the proposed 2021 Club World Cup to help Europe and South America stage their respective championships.

Both the European Championship and the Copa America have been pushed back 12 months to 2021 as Uefa and Conmebol look to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus pandemic that has brought global sport to a virtual standstill.

Infantino said in a statement on Tuesday that Fifa would hold a conference call on Wednesday in which it should accept those changes from Uefa and Conmebold and decide whether the planned 24-team Club World Cup should be held "later in 2021, in 2022 or in 2023".

For years Infantino has pushed for an expanded Club World Cup and was scheduled to be held in China in 2021, although it has not won unanimous support from the European superclubs.

Fifa envisaged a three-week tournament, with 24 clubs, including eight from Europe, six from South America, three from Africa and the two finalists from the Asian Champions League.

Infantino will also suggest to the bureau of Fifa's ruling council to make a donation of $10 million (Dh36m) to the World Health Organisation's Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund and also discuss the possibility of establishing a Global Football Assistance Fund to "help members of the football community affected by this crisis".