By Andrew Warshaw
October 9 – The FIFA-appointed expert who headed the bidding countries evaluation committee and first cautioned about the dangers of taking the 2022 World Cup to Qatar, is considering running against Sepp Blatter for the world governing body’s presidency next year.
Former Chilean FA president Harold Mayne-Nicholls led the FIFA inspection team that examined the credentials of all nine candidates for both the 2018 (won by Russia) and 2022 World Cups and could become the third candidate in the election at the end of next May alongside Blatter and former FIFA deputy secretary general Jerome Champagne.
“I am actually evaluating the situation. It is a very good idea but I must be careful with the decision,” he told Reuters. “If I decide to stand it will not be as a testimonial candidature, I will give my best efforts to win, that will be my goal.”
“In my opinion, the best for FIFA’s future will be to have as many candidates as possible. Then we will be able to discuss ideas; to exchange opinions; to look forward to the changes the organisation needs. As well as those aspects, we will bring back “democracy” and that is the main key to having more transparency in football.”
Despite Mayne-Nicholls’ inspection team having raising doubts about Qatar hosting the finals, their advice was overlooked by the FIFA executive committee members of the time. A year ago, in an interview with Insideworldfootball, he said stripping Qatar of hosting rights just because of the heat issue was not an option but was the first person to come up with a feasible timetable should the tournament be switched to winter.
Like all candidates, Mayne-Nicholls would need to get the backing of at least five national federations to be eligible to stand, with the deadline for declarations at the end of January, four months before the election itself.
Mayne-Nicholls believes his blueprint could provide the answer to the global debate over match scheduling. Under his original plan, the 2021-22 season would begin on August 8, with leagues breaking around December 19 for three weeks of World Cup training and the tournament itself taking place from January 6 to February 6. Leagues would then resume on or around February 13 and finish in mid-June, a month later than usual in Europe.
Since then, however, Blatter has stated his preference for a November-December World Cup which has become a more likely option.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734836998labto1734836998ofdlr1734836998owedi1734836998sni@w1734836998ahsra1734836998w.wer1734836998dna1734836998