By Andrew Warshaw
November 11 – FIFA president Sepp Blatter has ruled out the Qatar 2022 World Cup being moved to January and February because of a potential clash with the Winter Olympics, severely narrowing down the options to switch the tournament from summer. FIFA recently set up a working group to look into alternative dates for 2022 with all the stakeholders involved – medical experts, broadcasters, sponsors, leagues and clubs.
Several suggestions have already been put forward for avoiding the searing Gulf summer heat but those in favour of a move to January, such as UEFA boss Michel Platini, clearly now have a fight on their hands.
Although FIFA have only just started the consultation process, Blatter seems to have decided he would like the tournament to be held in November or December when temperatures are similar to that of a European summer, with a daily average of around 26C. Significantly, a decision is likely to be made during Blatter’s current term as president, in other words before the 2015 FIFA presidential election when he may or may not stand again.
“It will be November-December. It is logical to play this competition at the end of the year. We cannot have two competitions at the same time,” Blatter told reporters after a weekend visit to Qatar. “In January and February, these are the Olympic Winter Games.”
“It is out of the respect to the Olympic organisation – the Olympic family. Secondly, we have practically the same media, television and marketing partners. So many different partners are with FIFA and the Olympic Games so we cannot have the partners in two competitions at the same time.”
Qatar has long insisted that a summer World Cup is viable thanks to its cooling technologies for stadiums, training areas and fan zones but there is still widespread concern over the health risks to players and supporters.
Blatter, speaking after meeting the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, also ruled out any possibility that the Gulf state could co-host the World Cup with neighbouring countries, another suggestion favoured by Platini.
Blatter himself seemed have to now have warmed to the idea during visits to Iran and the under-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. He initially appeared to be favouring a shared tournament but said his previous comments were taken out of context.
“The decision of the FIFA is to play in one country and that will be in Qatar,” Blatter said. “I was just touring a little bit here, I was in Iran and I was in United Arab Emirates and it came up, the question came up, ‘Can we share the World Cup with Qatar?’ I just took the questions, but I did not answer.”
“I just want to tell you that when we took the decision for the World Cup 2002 when we played in two countries with difficulties, it was (South) Korea and Japan. We decided to never go in two countries, even less so to three, if one country is able to do so (stage the tournament).”
Blatter was recently mandated by his executive committee to look into the controversial treatment of migrant workers in Qatar and was urged by human rights organisations, in his discussions with the emir, to take a strong line on behalf of FIFA. But responded cautiously to reporters’ questions without wanting to upset his hosts.
Dozens of Nepali workers reportedly died during the summer and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) has described Qatar’s labour practices as abhorrent, throwing into question the country’s suitability to host the World Cup.
“They are aware of the problem but they are already reacting to that,” Blatter said. “The labour laws are in the process of being amended. I would like to say again that we are not responsible for the (labour) laws, but we are happy to see that they will be amended.”
Blatter later added on Twitter: “I really encourage people to see these efforts to improve working conditions themselves, before forming opinions.”
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