UEFA voiced its growing opposition to FIFA's Club World Championship today, warning that European clubs could boycott the event in the future.
UEFA president Lennart Johansson, speaking at the end of a two-day UEFA executive committee meeting, warned there was no support for the tournament in Europe and that it added to fixture congestion.
"It is not for FIFA to arrange club competitions....it is an issue whether clubs from Europe will be prepared to take part in this," he told a news conference.
The tournament is due to be held again in 2005. It was staged in Brazil three years ago. The tournament set for Spain in 2001 was cancelled because of lack of sponsorship.
FIFA maintain it is a valid competition because it offers continental champions the chance to play against the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester United on a competitive basis.
"We're not happy with the World Club Championship. Europe and the clubs are against it," said Johansson.
"The absolute majority of clubs think that it's not logical that on the one hand UEFA is diminishing the number of match days and then on the other side FIFA arranges such events.
Johansson also dismissed the creation of a Champions League rival called the "European Golden Cup" as a non-starter.