Here are your Leeds United evening headlines on Friday, December 16.
New club tournament announced as Carragher hits out
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed the introduction of a new quadrennial men's Club World Cup that will kick off in 2025 and feature 32 top teams from across the globe. The FIFA Council met in Qatar on Friday to discuss a variety of matters, including international match calendars and competitions for men's and women's football.
The launch of an expanded 32-team Club World Cup in June 2025 was among the most eye-catching decisions, having cancelled the original 24-team tournament planned for 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. "There will be a Club World Cup with 32 teams to be played every four years," FIFA chief Infantino said.
"The first edition will take place in 2025 in the summer. During that slot where in the past we used to have the Confederations Cup and it will be slightly longer because obviously there are 32 teams. But they will be the best teams in the world. They will be invited to participate."
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher believes the new tournament is added unnecessary pressure on players and has called on any team invited to play in the competition to boycott it.
"Like the ridiculous idea of a FIFA World Cup every two years, this is another one from Infantino," he tweeted. "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."
Angers president's Azzedine Ounahi future admission amid Leeds United and Andrea Radrizzani interest
Angers president Saïd Chabane has admitted that it will be difficult to keep hold of Morocco pair Azzedine Ounahi and Sofiane Boufal after their World Cup heroics.
Victor Orta has revealed that he has received messages from Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani about Ounahi, who has been one of the breakout stars in Qatar.
Ounahi helped propel Morocco to history as they became the first African nation ever to reach the semi-finals at the World Cup. He started all six games for Morocco, as they defeated Belgium in the group stages and condemned Spain and Portugal to elimination in the knockout stages.
The 22-year-old was subject to interest from Sevilla in the summer but penned a new four-year contract at Angers. However, with Barcelona emerging as a possible destination, coupled with Radrizzani's admiration, Said has revealed that Ligue 1's bottom-place club can not hold players back if they want to leave.
International boss puts Leeds United man at centre of Barcelona legend's succession plan
Newly-appointed Spain boss Luis de la Fuente has tipped Leeds United midfielder Marc Roca as a possible replacement for Sergio Busquets when the long-serving midfielder steps away from international duty.
Despite completing a £10 million move to Elland Road in July, Roca could not earn a place in Luis Enrique's squad for the, ultimately unsuccessful, FIFA World Cup campaign in Qatar.
Perhaps fortunately for Roca, Enrique's contract was not renewed by the RFEF after his side crashed out of the tournament on penalties to Morocco. de la Fuente has been named as his successor, being promoted from the nation's under-21 set-up.
Naturally, questions surrounding Busquets' international future have begun to emerge at the age of 34. And whilst it appears the Barcelona man is willing to continue, for the time being, de la Fuente has full faith in potential midfield replacements.
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