Qatar World Cup should be held in winter, insists Blatter
The Fifa president says the heat in the country would be unbearable and believes that holding the competition in winter would only disrupt one European season
Fifa president Sepp Blatter has insisted that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar should be held during the winter period for European nations.
The Middle Eastern nation were controversially awarded the tournament back in 2010, despite fears over the country's soaring temperatures.
And the Swiss official has insisted that the competition cannot be held during June and July.
"The World Cup in Qatar can only take place in the winter. And the executive committee is sure to follow me," he told Sky Sport Germany.
"In this heat, you cannot play in the summer. And we have to consider the players. I was just in the Middle East, in Jordan, Palestine and Israel.
"I have felt the heat in these countries and it's not as hot there as it is in Qatar. It's possible to air condition a stadium, but not an entire country.
"That's why we need to be brave in the Executive Committee to create awareness among the leagues that we need to change something."
Many people have voiced fears over the effect a winter World Cup could have on domestic football's scheduling, but Blatter insists that the change would only be temporary.
"Yes, but it's only a year, then they can go back to normal rhythm again," he added.
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/4961/international-football/2013/07/17/4124131/qatar-world-cup-should-be-held-in-winter-insists-blatter?ICID=HP_BN_1
Qatar World Cup - Blatter
posted on 17/7/13
For me the biggest downside of it is that it will change the whole atomsphere. The WC for me has always coincided with BBQs and scorching weather whilst watching the England games. It won't be the same in winter.
But as far as the player's fitness is concerned, I don't see it as a major problem. Though it would probably put the very top teams with a squad of internationals, such as ourselves, at a slight disadvantage come the end of the season, it's something that we can deal with.
posted on 17/7/13
"Fitness/form will happen in summer as well"
It will, but at least you get some break inbetween domestic and international
posted on 17/7/13
So would it be moved to the winter before or the one after?
posted on 17/7/13
Would have thought after, but no idea tbh
posted on 17/7/13
Would be a huge disruption to the transfer window if they set it in January
posted on 17/7/13
Sign them at half time
posted on 17/7/13
"The WC for me has always coincided with BBQs and scorching weather"
You been watching them in Spain or something?
posted on 17/7/13
Did wonder about that comment myself
remember 06 being hot though
posted on 17/7/13
Wasn't USA 94 in a similar climate? Who could forget Jack Charlton's rants because they won't allow the players to drink. The WC should be in the summer. The Qatarians have promised special A/C stadiums and should be told to build these.
Of course they won't actually be fully A/C but some sort of mechanism to keep the supporters cool.
Outside the stadium it will be hot but no different what people normally do when they go on there holidays.
posted on 18/7/13
It would be wrong to move it to winter. Qatar won the bid to stage the world cup with one of the criteria that it be played in June/July. Clearly they cannot meet the criteria, therefore they should not have been considered as part of the bidding process.
How will the other countries that tendered bids react when they all met the criteria, but weren't awarded the tournament because it was judged Qatar met all the criteria better than the rest?
If it's moved to winter I could see a situation where all the losing bidders for 2022 take legal action against FIFA.
Ultimately, this could break FIFA. Many major nations will be in the middle of their seasons. If enough of the major nations don't want any serious disruption to their leagues, they could stand together and decide not to enter a team for the tournament. What would FIFA do then?