The global footballers’ union FIFPRO have said The current Asian Champions League is “unsustainable”, accusing the regional governing body of failing to listen to players and clubs.
The continent’s top club competition is in the spotlight like never before after Saudi teams shelled out on the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema.
The round of 16 began on Tuesday last week, three days after the final of the Asian Cup, which was won by hosts Qatar.
FIFPRO have also voiced concern about the economic cost for teams, given the long travel sometimes involved, and the effect of travel and match scheduling on the workload of players.
Starting in the next campaign, there will also be a geographical split at the start of the tournament, but the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final will be held in Saudi Arabia.
FIFPRO said this remodelled version, which will see the winner take home an increased cheque of $12 million, was also unsustainable.
Takuya Yamazaki, FIFPRO’s chairman for Oceania-Asia, hopes its report will “spark meaningful discussions with governing bodies, leagues, clubs and fans” about the Champions League.
“The results indicate that, as anticipated, the merits do not outweigh the drawbacks for most players and clubs, making it an unsustainable system,” he said in the report