FIFA vice-president David Gill issues World Cup warning

David Gill warned against increasing the number of teams at the World Cup

FIFA have been warned against rushing through moves to expand

 

And that meeting followed a dramatic day of developments which saw two FIFA vice-presidents - Alfredo Hawit of Honduras and Juan Angel Napout of Paraguay - arrested by Swiss authorities in another swoop at the Baur au Lac hotel as part of a US-led corruption inquiry.

FIFA's executive committee was said to be "extremely receptive" to expanding the tournament from 32 teams but several members, including Gill, secured a deferment on any decision.

Gill, FA deputy chairman and a Manchester United director, said: "This is such a major decision that it needs proper analysis. There needs to be full consultation with the stakeholders including the clubs, players and fans and a proper analysis of all the implications including commercially and in football terms.

 

"It is not being proposed to come in until 2026 so I do not see that there is any rush to make a decision."

Currently there are 32 teams in the finals, and the addition of eight additional countries could mean another 32 matches in the group stage - adding another week to a tournament which is currently 31 days in length.

It would take the total number of matches to 96 and the proposed increase would come into force for the 2026 tournament.

The proposal is being seen as a sweetener to persuade the FIFA Congress to vote through the package of reforms. It will also take the pressure off Europe, whose 13 places have been the source of envy from other continents.

 

FIFA want to grow the World Cup to 40 teams

But the proposal came on yet another day of shame for FIFA following this latest raid.

Hawit was appointed interim president of CONCACAF, which covers countries from north and central America and the Caribbean, after his predecessor Jeffrey Webb was arrested in a similar swoop in May. Napout is the president of CONMEBOL, the South American confederation. FIFA president Sepp Blatter was not arrested as part of the latest raid.

The Swiss Federal Office said in a statement: "According to the US arrest requests, they are suspected of accepting bribes of millions of dollars.They are alleged to have taken the money in return for selling marketing rights in connection with football tournaments in Latin America, as well as World Cup qualifying matches."

Acting FIFA president Issa Hayatou insisted that neither he nor the organisation is corrupt. "FIFA is not corrupt," he said. "We have individuals that have shown negative behaviour. Do not generalise the situation. There are lots of people in FIFA for more than 20 or 30 years that have not been accused of anything."