By Andrew Warshaw
March 7 – There have been more indications – this time from the clubs – that no decision on moving the 2022 Qatar World Cup from the heat of the Gulf summer will be taken until next year.
Last October FIFA set up a Task Force, jointly run by FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke and Asian Football Confederation boss Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, to consult all stakeholders throughout the game before announcing firm alternative dates for 2022, increasingly looking like November and December.
Initially it was hoped that the consultation process might be completed this year. But all the signs recently have pointed to March 2015, for a final announcement and that has now been given even greater credence by the European Club Association.
Michele Centenaro, the ECA’s general secretary, revealed this week that he and ECA president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge would be accepting an invite from FIFA to attend two Task Force sessions later this year – one in September, the other in November.
Europe’s clubs are split on the best way forward since any date change would conflict with their traditional scheduling.
Qatar organisers say they are open to any change and Centenaro did not want to pre-judge what might happen. “This is our first official invitation to take part in the consultation process,” said Centenaro. “I can’t say right now what we will tell them but clearly we are among the main stakeholders so normally no (2022) decision can be made until we have expressed our views.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734845049labto1734845049ofdlr1734845049owedi1734845049sni@w1734845049ahsra1734845049w.wer1734845049dna1734845049