Football and politics in times of coronavirus: the favor that Conmebol and UEFA do to FIFA

Alejandro Domínguez It had been decided for a week already, but he could not say it yet. The America's Cup 2020 it would be played in 2021, and the announcement would be made simultaneously with the UEFA, also obliged to postpone the Eurocup in the midst of these gloomy times of world crisis due to the coronavirus.

But the decision in Europe was advanced a few hours. There was not much to discuss in the virtual meeting who celebrated the Slovenian Aleksandr Ceferin, President of UEFA, with the 55 presidents of the federations of the continent. To play in three months a tournament in 12 countries of a Europe that has tens of millions of citizens locked up in their homes? Absurd, unfeasible. Thus the postponement of the European Championship was known before that of the Copa América.

You had to stand firm against FIFA, because both tournaments depend on a fundamental decision of the president Gianni Infantino: enable the window for the compulsory transfer of players by the clubs to the national teams. Without stars, there is no Euro Cup or Copa AméricaWithout stars you cannot sell the product to television. Allies, the two most powerful Alexandria in world football could impose their decision. Separated, FIFA would create serious problems for them.

Infantino is taking advantage of the coronavirus crisis to establish itself as the leader of sports common sense, while his counterpart at the helm of the IOC, the German Thomas Bach, insists on the already unfeasible illusion of celebrating 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The FIFA president broadcasts videos in which he gives instructions on how to wash his hands and shows himself as an unconditional soldier of everything the World Health Organization (WHO) says. He is on a mission and is not stitching without a thread: in recent days he has made it known directly and indirectly to Argentine football that there was no point in continuing with the tournament. The message was understood.

Today's synchronized potency probably would not have been possible if the coronavirus crisis had happened a year ago. By then, Domínguez and Ceferin looked at each other with suspicion, they did not finish understanding each other, despite the fact that the two live soccer with passion and knowledge. The Paraguayan was a close ally of Infantino and the Slovenian was the wayward, the leader who always ended up colliding with the FIFA president. In June 2019, all that began to change.

Domínguez called Ceferin to propose to advance an idea that fascinates both: resuscitate the Intercontinental Cup, that duel between the champion of the European Cup (today Champions League) and that of the Liberators. Ceferin was upset that Domínguez believed that Infantino should be asked for permission to hold this tournament. In that June 2019 call everything changed: "Let's go forward". And there they are.

“Today they are very cool, they have been working together on many things. They know the importance and the weight that the two have for soccer"He explained this week to Infobae a man who participated in several meetings between the two presidents, who in the last week intensified their contacts to make a joint decision about the Euro Cup and the Copa América.

That unexpected alliance between UEFA and the Conmebol it did not go unnoticed for Infantino, who has to change the Club World Cup, expand it to 24 participants and make it a much more interesting and competitive tournament. But that FIFA president's plan invades UEFA's territory, which generates four times more money than FIFA and it has in the Champions League an annual gem. The World Cup, on the other hand, is played only every four yearsThis is why Infantino needs a powerful new product so that FIFA has a permanent role and higher income.

"At UEFA we deal with football, at FIFA they do politics", synthesizes Ceferin.

The money is at stake. Last year, Infantino was dispatched in Bogotá, during a meeting of the FIFA Council, with which he had a $ 20 billion offer of an enigmatic investment fund to sustain the new Club World Cup and a League of Nations that is also the subject of discord. Today, that offer does not seem to exist, and FIFA has difficulties in moving forward with the renewed Club World Cup in its first edition 2021.

So, that the Euro Cup and the America's Cup are played mid 2021 it is an aid to Infantino, almost a favor: it gives him more time to develop his star project, which will probably happen for 2022. Enough time for the South American teams to continue fighting to improve their presence: until today they only have five out of 24 places, very little for the history and power of his football, although logical in terms of economic power.

The matter offends Conmebol and it continues to be the subject of periodic tensions between Infantino and Domínguez. That ambition of Daniel Angelici's Boca to have a fixed place in the tournament never had a serious journey, but to increase the presence of the south american clubs, today located at the level of Africans Y asians, is a goal that Domínguez has, and in which he can count on Ceferin's support.

"FIFA promised a Club World Cup in 2021, promised something it does not have", synthesized Infobae a man with a direct line to Domínguez. "I hadn't been able to find the funds for that tournament, and I had a big problem with the qualifying spots.".

Allied and in tandem, UEFA and Conmebol will continue to make FIFA feel their power. What will be lived in 2021 will be something with the air of a World Cup, a year and a half before that of Qatar 2022. When the televisions are turned on in the morning in Buenos Aires, Bogotá or Mexico City, there will be matches from the Eurocup. After noon, from the Eurocup and the America's Cup. And at night, of the America Cup, which will shine on European screens until late at night. Four examples: Lionel Messi, Christian Ronaldo, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé. Luxuries spread throughout the day for a whole month.

It will be from June 11 to July 11, 2021. Doing it in 2020 was unfeasible, and therefore, irresponsible to even continue with the original plan. Europe in a state of exception does not allow us to think about football. Much less can South America, which has not yet entered the hardest section of autumn / winter and the coronavirus crisis.