Fifa President, Gianni Infantino, has proposed to the Confederation of African Football (Caf) that the Africa Cup of Nations be held every four years instead of biennially.
Infantino is among the speakers at a Caf seminar in Morocco which is focusing on the development of football competitions and infrastructure in Africa.
“I propose to organise the Africa Cup of Nations every four years rather than two years,” the Fifa President told delegates in Rabat.
The next Africa Cup of Nations will be held in Cameroon in 2021 and will revert back to its original placing of January and February in the calendar.
Last year, the Nations Cup in Egypt was held in June and July for the first time and was expanded to 24 teams.
Infantino spoke about the Africa Cup of Nations in relation to specific areas which he identified as needing “intervention” to help boost African football.
“We have to develop African solutions to African problems. We have identified three areas for intervention namely refereeing, infrastructure and competitions.
“I think it’s time to stop talking about the development of African football, and take actions. No African team has won the World Cup. And there is an impression Africa is going backwards,” Infantino added.
Fifa has since confirmed Infantino’s stance and his proposal to change the frequency of the Nations Cup.
“For competitions, Fifa will seek a range of new initatives: creation of a women’s world nations league, more frequent youth championships, more youth categories, repositioning of Afcon to be played every four years and the creation of a new pan-African club competition,” Football’s world body confirmed.
“The new pan-African club competition, proposed by the Fifa President, would comprise 20 permanent member clubs and would be supported by additional clubs that qualify via regional competitions,” Fifa said.
Fifa also reiterated Infantino’s comments on refereeing and said there would be “the creation of a group of professional referees financed and organised by Fifa in partnership with Caf.”
“We will take 20 of the best African Fifa referees, professionalise them, and give them permanent, professional contracts,” said Infantino.
The seminar was scheduled to end on Saturday evening ahead of Caf’s Executive Committee meeting on Sunday.
BBC
