Real Madrid say they will play in Club World Cup as Ancelotti takes back comments

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said his comments to an Italian daily that Real Madrid would decline FIFA’s invitation to participate in the Club World Cup had not been interpreted the way he intended, as the La Liga side reiterated its desire to play in the tournament.

Ancelotti had been quoted by Il Giornale in an interview on Monday as saying that FIFA had undervalued the compensation the 15-time Champions League winners should receive in the revamped tournament with 32 teams.

“FIFA can forget it, footballers and clubs will not participate in that tournament,” Ancelotti was quoted as saying.

However, the Italian distanced himself from those comments in a social media post on Monday.

“Nothing could be further from my interest than to reject the possibility of playing in a tournament that I consider to be a great opportunity to continue fighting for major titles with Real Madrid,” he said.

Real Madrid said their participation in the tournament was never in question.

“Our club will take part, as planned, in this official competition which we face with pride and with the utmost enthusiasm to once again make our millions of fans all over the world dream of a new title,” they said in a statement.