The FIFA World Cup every two years: a perfect example of conflict of interest.

FIFA's plan to hold its flagship tournament every two years is causing a stir.

From the point of view of European law, it highlights the structural conflict of interest affecting FIFA and its confederations: these international organisations are both major economic operators on the market (World Cup, Euro, Champions' League, etc.) and the regulators of that same market. Or rather of two markets: that of international club competitions and that of competitions between national teams. The outcry from European leagues and clubs against the plan to hold the World Cup every two years shows the extent to which these two markets are in competition. And because they control the "calendar", FIFA and its confederations are in a position to favour their own commercial interests, which they do. European case law (FIA case, Motoe judgment, ISU judgment) establishes that such a conflict of interest inevitably leads to abuse of a dominant position. This same issue is also at the heart of the "European Super League" case, currently pending before the CJEU.

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