By Andrew Warshaw
September 22 – UEFA President Michel Platini has repeated his concern about the 2022 World Cup in Qatar being staged at the usual time in mid-summer because of the searing heat and humidity of the Gulf region.
In the wake of suggestions the tournament be moved to the winter, Qatar authorities have assured their critics that sophisticated cooling systems being installed both within stadiums and at training grounds will ensure playing conditions are perfect.
But Platini still is not convinced.
“If you are going to go to Qatar in June-July, there’s a good chance it’ll be 55 degrees [Celsius],” he said.
“It’s great that the grounds will be air-conditioned but I think that this sporting occasion is the most important in the world.
“I don’t change my ideas like I change my shirts, even if it’s hot and I am sweating.”
Platini was speaking in Cyprus where UEFA held an Executive Committee meeting preceded by a summit of all 53 national fedederations.
The members were summoned to Limassol to try and get to grips with a range of pressing issues, not least the problem of squeezing too many fixtures into the international calendar.
Europe’s leading clubs have been particularly outspoken on the issue, describing August friendlies as “nonsense” matches which disrupt preparations for their season, and now appear to have the backing of the national federations who also want to scrap the summer date in favour of double-headers later on.
“Support was given for a calendar which is made up of double-headers – two matches – rather than single friendlies, in particular the single friendlies in August, which is an issue for many stakeholders,” said UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino after the two-day discussions.
“It is valid for the entire world, so Europe has something to propose pro-actively, but ultimately FIFA will take the decision.”
Platini added: “FIFA has appointed the confederations’ general secretaries to work on an international calendar, which is important for everyone – the clubs, the associations, the leagues.
“It is a priority for everyone.
“We can reflect on what is best and make a proposal to FIFA.”
Turning to match-fixing, both Platini and Infantino stressed the need for direct contact between football and state authorities.
This is being facilitated by the appointment of Integrity Officers across Europe who will work together with inidividual police forces.
“We have installed a betting fraud detection system which shows us if there are strange movements with regard to betting,” said Infantino, adding that 30,000 matches are being monitored a season.
“It is absolutely crucial that the state authorities are cooperating with the sports authorities.
“The sports authorities can take disciplinary sanctions – we do not put anyone in jail or give criminal penalties – but we can sanction from a disciplinary point of view when we receive the information from the different police and state authorities.”
UEFA also received an update on the work of the Club Financial Control Panel, the body responsible for financial fair play, including the introduction of the requirement for clubs to have a Supporter Liaison Officer in order to establish a closer contact with the fans.
Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734850778labto1734850778ofdlr1734850778owedi1734850778sni@w1734850778ahsra1734850778w.wer1734850778dna1734850778