By Andrew Warshaw
November 26 – Ronald De Boer, the Dutch legend who finished his illustrious career in Qatar, has re-iterated his view that a summer World Cup in 2022 is still possible – but only if it is staged in May.
Although FIFA President Sepp Blatter has expressed his preference to switch the tournament to November, de Boer – who was one of Qatar’s ambassadors in their bid campaign – has added his voice to those who believe the tournament could be brought forward by just one month to avoid serious disruption to the global calendar.
The exact timing of 2022 will not be made until the middle of next year at the earliest following Fifa’s decision to pull all the relevant stakeholders together to come up with the best compromise solution.
But de Boer, who made 67 appearances for his country and won the 1995 Champions League with Ajax, believes May is the most viable option.
“It’s obvious that June and July is not beneficial for Qatar,” said de Boer who, after spells with Barcelona and Glasgow Rangers, moved to Qatar in 2004 where he played for two different clubs. “I have played in May. It is perfect at night. Even if we use cooling technologies, football is not only about the players, most of it is about the fans to get a great experience.”
De Boer, who made his comments at the recent Aspire4Sport conference in Doha just as 2022 World Cup organisers were unveiling their first stadium design, added: “For me it’s a ‘been there, done that’ feeling. In May I know for sure, because I have played here, that everybody will enjoy. I personally think (it should start) the first week in May.”
The former attacking midfielder says it would be no hotter at that time than some parts of the United States were in 1994.
“In Orlando at 3pm it probably felt like 45-50 degrees in the stadium. I think we won’t have that experience for sure. I hear some people say November. I think if you want to be closer to the normal football schedule, beginning of May is a good option.”
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