FIFA has sparked a backlash in Major League Soccer after deciding to hand Inter Miami a place in the Club World Cup.
Gianni Infantino announced on Sunday that Miami had been chosen as one of the 32 sides which will compete in the tournament, which will be played in the United States from June 15 to July 13. David Beckham’s franchise are taking the host nation spot, despite FIFA having previously failed to announce the selection criteria.
The Club World Cup has proven unattractive to broadcasters, who have declined to bid for the rights, and the addition of Messi is undoubtedly a boost on that front. Fans of other clubs have grown irritated by what they see as double standards around Beckham’s glitzy franchise and the other clubs.
One fan tweeted: “They just need Messi in the tournament. Can’t fault them for wanting that but the lack of process for this was pretty ridiculous”. Another added: “The criteria was always the same. Whichever team had Lionel Messi was gonna qualify”.
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