May 9- Europe’s leading professional leagues have come out in opposition to switching the Qatar World Cup in 2022 from summer to winter, seemingly putting themselves on a collision course with Fifa which most observers believe is edging nearer and nearer to formally adopting a change of timing.
A Fifa Task Force is discussing the timing of 2022 with all stakeholders before coming to a firm conclusion but The European Professional Football Leagues, which represents 844 clubs in 22 countries, says any change to the usual calendar would adversely affect the entire structure of the game.
The Task Force, headed by Asian president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, is consulting national associations, leagues, clubs and players over the wisdom of moving the 2022 World Cup owing to the fearsome Gulf summer heat.
Fifa president Sepp Blatter says no decision will likely be made until next March but the EPFL is getting increasingly frustrated.
A statement said the EPFL board “has come to the conclusion that all scenarios on the re-scheduling of the World Cup in Qatar are damaging the domestic competitions and leagues’ business interests.”
“The EPFL will discuss these issues within the consultation process led by FIFA which shall take place after the World Cup in Brazil.”
The EPFL also questioned Uefa’s plans for new Nations League to replace friendly internationals from 2018, about which it said it has not been consulted.
“The EPFL reaffirmed its concerns about the UEFA decision to launch its new Nations League without prior consultation with the competition organisers at domestic level, namely the European leagues,” it said.