Javier Tebas has confirmed that the LFP has taken legal action against FIFA to change the dates of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
World football’s governing body announced in March that Qatar 2022 would be held between November 20 and December 18 in light of excessive temperatures in the country during the spring and summer.
This came despite the European Club Association (ECA) and Association of European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL) jointly proposing a World Cup between May 5 and June 4.
However, the Spanish chief has insisted that La Liga will incur a €65m loss in revenue if the current schedule goes ahead and called on the Premier League, Bundesliga and Serie A for support.
“[We’ve taken legal action] in defence of the interests of the clubs who are contributing to international teams,” he was quoted as saying by AS.
“Moving the World Cup to winter will lose us €65m. [The Premier League, Bundesliga and Serie A have supported our initiatives], but only morally.
“They haven’t dared to sign the agreements. There is still much fear of FIFA.
“Using legal channels when there is a difference of opinion is what civilised people do.
“No-one should be afraid to resort to legal action in order to claim their legitimate rights, but there are those who are still afraid.”
However, France’s Professional Football League has backed Tebas’ stance, its statement reading: “We are ready to support any legal action against FIFA.
“We must defend the interests of all clubs and not just those who give players to national teams.”
UEFA President Michel Platini, on the other hand, was against the idea, despite his open confrontations with Sepp Blatter.
“The change is in the interest of the players and fans,” he noted.
One day after the announcement that the 2022 World Cup would be held in winter, FIFA pledged to distribute almost €200m between teams with ECA representation at the next two World Cups, three times more than what was allocated for Brazil 2014.
