By Andrew Warshaw
February 12 – As FIFA prepares to formally approve plans to switch the 2022 Qatar World Cup to winter to avoid the searing June-July Gulf heat, the president of the International Ski Federation (FIS) has denounced football’s world governing body for selfishness over the effect such a decision would have on the winter sports schedule.
FIFA’s multi-stakeholder 2022 World Cup Task Force convenes in Qatar later this month to make firm recommendations ahead of an anticipated final ruling on dates at an executive committee meeting on March 20.
Having already endorsed the principle of a first ever winter World Cup despite strong opposition from European clubs and leagues, the likelihood is that FIFA will opt for November-December rather than January-February in order to avoid a clash with the winter Olympics.
But that didn’t stop FIS chief Gian-Franco Kasper (pictured) revisiting the issue and claiming he had received no answer from FIFA president Sepp Blatter when flagging up broader concerns about the effect on the general winter sports calendar.
“FIFA has never listened to anyone. Football just happens to be that strong,” Kasper was quoted as saying at an event in Beaver Creek, Colorado. “They care about nothing and nobody else. If the World Cup takes place in November or December, it would be difficult but we could – just about – live with it.”
But Kasper says even November-December would not be ideal because it coincides with the start of World Cup events in FIS competitions.
“I wrote on behalf of all winter sports federations to Mr Blatter as soon as the Qatar issue arose. Quite strongly, I must admit. The reaction was practically zero. FIFA think they are gods and act accordingly. Winter sport doesn’t exist for his group, his board.”
But, said Kasper, it wasn’t only about Blatter, rather a distinct culture difference.
“This is not about Mr Blatter as a person but the power of football in general. If it turns out to be November or December… the only way forward would be to remind the (Swiss) compatriots of Mr Blatter to remind him about the importance of the winter sports break.”
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