Chelsea’s attempt to win the Club World Cup for the first time later this year is mired in uncertainty as the tournament could be moved away from Japan due to the continuing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
FIFA want fans to be able to attend their flagship club competition, which will be difficult to achieve in Japan as the country battles a fifth wave of infections and continues to struggle with a slow vaccination rollout.
The political fallout from the Japanese government’s handling of the pandemic, including their controversial decision to proceed with the Olympics and Paralympics, intensified this week with the shock resignation of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga after just 12 months in office.