Blatter expects Qatar WC in winter
Prospect of the 2022 Qatar World Cup being held in the winter moved a step closer.
DOHA:
The prospect of the 2022 Qatar World Cup being held in the winter moved a step closer when Fifa President Sepp Blatter said for the first time that this is what he expects will happen.
Qatar was controversially awarded the right to host the tournament last month despite summer temperatures in the Gulf soaring to well over 40 degrees Celsius. Concerns have been raised about the health impacts of playing in such searing heat, as well for the fans following the action, and Blatter said winter would make more sense.
“I expect it to be in the winter because when you play football you must protect the main people, the players,” said Blatter. “We will take it up at our executive committee meeting in March.”
German legend Franz Beckenbauer, a Fifa executive committee member, and England coach Fabio Capello are among others who have voiced support for a switch of dates. Uefa President Michel Platini is also sympathetic to the idea.
Opposition
Any change would have major implications for domestic competitions in Britain and the rest of Europe where the league programmes would be in full swing. In England, Wolves manager Mick McCarthy branded the prospect of a winter World Cup as “nonsense” and Blackpool boss Ian Holloway said it was “crazy”.
Qatar contests hosting rights
Qatar has insisted that it won the right to host the World Cup on its merits. It put forward a proposal to build climate-controlled stadia that will enable players and fans to escape the worst of the weather, but there have been sceptics amid claims that the decision was political, linked to Qatar’s deep pockets.
Blatter said Fifa had yet to be approached by Qatar about a change of dates.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 8th, 2011.
The prospect of the 2022 Qatar World Cup being held in the winter moved a step closer when Fifa President Sepp Blatter said for the first time that this is what he expects will happen.
Qatar was controversially awarded the right to host the tournament last month despite summer temperatures in the Gulf soaring to well over 40 degrees Celsius. Concerns have been raised about the health impacts of playing in such searing heat, as well for the fans following the action, and Blatter said winter would make more sense.
“I expect it to be in the winter because when you play football you must protect the main people, the players,” said Blatter. “We will take it up at our executive committee meeting in March.”
German legend Franz Beckenbauer, a Fifa executive committee member, and England coach Fabio Capello are among others who have voiced support for a switch of dates. Uefa President Michel Platini is also sympathetic to the idea.
Opposition
Any change would have major implications for domestic competitions in Britain and the rest of Europe where the league programmes would be in full swing. In England, Wolves manager Mick McCarthy branded the prospect of a winter World Cup as “nonsense” and Blackpool boss Ian Holloway said it was “crazy”.
Qatar contests hosting rights
Qatar has insisted that it won the right to host the World Cup on its merits. It put forward a proposal to build climate-controlled stadia that will enable players and fans to escape the worst of the weather, but there have been sceptics amid claims that the decision was political, linked to Qatar’s deep pockets.
Blatter said Fifa had yet to be approached by Qatar about a change of dates.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 8th, 2011.