By Andrew Warshaw in Belfast
February 27 – FIFA president Sepp Blatter has been quick to clear up arguably the main sticking point regarding the 2022 winter World Cup by promising it will not stretch as far as two days before Christmas.
Following the 2022 FIFA Task Force’s recommendation to break with tradition and play the Qatar tournament in November and December, concerns have been expressed that the final could be played on December 23.
But on his arrival at this year’s International FA Board meeting in Belfast, Blatter made clear that the tournament must end several days earlier and said he would propose that to the FIFA executive committee when it meets next month.
UEFA is one body that has expressed no problems with a December 23 finish but Blatter told reporters: “The World Cup will not go on until the 23rd, definitely not, we have to stop at the 18th. I am against going to the 23rd.”
FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke, accompanying Blatter to IFAB, also confirmed that the actual dates for 2022 will be agreed and announced at the March 19 and 20 executive committee meeting and no later. “Qatar needs to know,” said Valcke.
Europe’s clubs and leagues have reacted badly to the idea of a winter Cup but Blatter felt too much was being made of it.
“They are not furious, but they are not very happy, and although there is noise about FIFA and the World Cup in Qatar we have seven years to prepare for it,” Blatter said. “Where this is a good will, there will be a solution and I am sure everyone will be fine.”
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the chairman of the European Clubs Association, has called for clubs to be compensated as a result of their seasons being disrupted but Blatter confirmed what Valcke has already stated.
“I don’t think they should be (compensated),” Blatter said. “I was in contact with Karl-Heinz Rummennige before this decision was taken and I am sure a solution can be found. This is football. The European clubs are not so happy but they should be in solidarity. This is the important thing. There are problems and discussions and the problems need to be solved.”
UEFA executive committee member David Gill , who is one of two candidates bidding to become Britain’s next FIFA vice-president at elections in late March, said Blatter’s remarks were encouraging – even though his own confederation has said it would be comfortable with a December 23 finish.
“I’m encouraged by the fact that president Blatter has come out and said it can’t be on the 23rd and the 18th would be the latest it can be, which I think is at least a move in the right direction,” said Gill.
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