FIFA has decided it will only officially recognise as world club champions the winning teams from the four tournaments organised by itself — Corinthians in 2000, Sao Paulo in 2005, Internacional in 2006 and AC Milan in 2007.
The decision has already infuriated Zico, who played in the memorable Brazilian team Flamengo which outclassed Liverpool 3-0 in 1981 in the early days of the one-off fixture in Tokyo.
“There’s nothing to argue about. We took part in a very difficult Libertadores, we played European champions, as the representatives of South America, and we won,” he said.
It is hard not to sympathise with the current coach of Fenerbahce. It also raises the question — was the world club championship better off before FIFA stepped in?
It used to be delightfully simple: the winners of the European Cup (later the Champions League) met the winners of the Libertadores, its South American equivalent.
The match was played on a home-and-away basis until a few ugly ties, mainly involving Argentine pair Estudiantes and Racing Club, marred its history. In 1980, it was reborn as a one-off tie played in Tokyo and continued that way, trouble free, until 2004.
The first FIFA tournament in 2000 was anything but a true world club championship.
Corinthians, the eventual winners, were only included because they were domestic champions of hosts Brazil. The Sao Paulo-based club have never won the Libertadores.
Palmeiras, the real South American champions at the time, did not take part at all and neither did Jubilo Iwata, who were Asian champions. Instead, Al Nasr of Saudi Arabia, winners of the 1998 Super Cup, sneaked in.
Perhaps not surprisingly, it failed to catch fire and the “unofficial” match in Tokyo kept going until 2004 before FIFA tried again.
In 2005 and 2006, they kept it simple and only the champions of the respective continents took part, although the quality of most games was desperately poor.
This year, FIFA allowed Asia, one of the weaker confederations, to have two representatives — champions Urawa Reds from Japan and runners-up Sepahan of Iran.
Somehow, it just seemed more straightforward in the old days when teams such as the Pele-inspired Santos graced the contest.
Brian Homewood, Rio de Janeiro
PHOTO: Kaka raises the trophy after AC Milan’s victory over Boca Juniors at the Club World Cup, Japan, December 16, 2007. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
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5 comments so far
The Asian Confederation only had two participants because a Japanese team won the Asian Champions League, so the “host nation” spot was vacated. Perhaps a host nation spot isn’t necessary for a tournament like this?
Besides, you can’t have a true world champion if only two confederations are playing. What’s so bad about giving the champions of CONCACAF, CAF, AFC and OFC a shot knocking off the big boys from UEFA and CONMEBOL? Who’s to say one of them won’t pull off an upset one day?
- Posted by Dave's Football BlogBrian is dead right. Cut it back to the European and South American champions only.
- Posted by Jon BramleyThis is the problem with FIFA and indeed UEFA, they’re power mad.
- Posted by Free Bet ManWhat is the problem of recognising the winners of previous events which were not organised by themselves? Is there some kind of copyright issure they’re worried about?
You don’t see them claiming that there is no official winner of the Premier League just becasue they do not organise it do you?
They really get my goat.
I would love to see the return of the two-legged affair between European and South American champions as the only match of the Club World Cup. If they can guarantee safety and security for the South American leg, then I think it’s a format that will give add authority to the competition.
Imagine a second leg in the Argentine night at La Bombenera - the atmosphere would be terrific and it would be a stern test of the European side’s talents and ability in a tough atmosphere. Currently it is like a tournament for Asian tourists to have a chance to get into football and that’s why European sides don’t treat it with a great deal of respect.
- Posted by MattThat would be a great format in theory but in truth the reality of the European sides ever treating the tournament with any deal of respect is small, unless a vast amount of money was available for the winner.
- Posted by Free Bet ManI just don’t see the likes of Man Utd or Barcelona sending a full strength side out to play Boca juniors in what is practically a friendly match half-way through an important title charge.