The FIFA task force responsible for picking the dates of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar have provisionally proposed it should run from November 26 to December 23 - wrecking domestic calendars around the world if that comes to fruition.
While it was long anticipated that the task force would recommend a November-December tournament - and the specific dates still have to be ratified by FIFA’s executive committee (ExCo) next month - official confirmation of the general plan is already causing shock and anger.
The awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar has been dogged by controversy ever since FIFA’s ExCo made that decision in December 2010
Allegations of widespread collusion and corruption overshadowed the process from the beginning. Multiple ExCo members from 2010 have since left surrounded by allegations of corruption. A report by investigator Michael Garcia remains secret, unpublished and subject to dispute between its author and FIFA.
The tournament was never intended to be played any time other than summer 2022. And yet Qatar remain on course - extraordinarily - to stage the event, albeit in winter.
The task force was convened after it became apparent that dangerous summer temperatures in Qatar in summer 2022 would make it unsafe for the players - and fans.
Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa, who is the head of the Asian Football Confederation and head of the task force confirmed on Tuesday that November-December 2022 has now been recommended as the ideal time for the event.
He says all options will be reviewed by the task force recommendation which is expected to be ratified by the ExCo.
‘Some people have concerns, but whatever decision you're going to take will have some questions about it,’ Sheikh Salman said. ‘But we need to look at the overall benefit of everybody.’
The tournament will be shorter than usual by a few days but will remain the same size as currently, with 32 nations playing 64 matches.
The decision is sure to cause a huge furore, not least as the major leagues of Europe, who provide the majority of players to any World Cup finals, voice their opposition to a schedule that will smash a hole in the middle of their domestic calendar for the 2022-23 season, and disrupt seasons either side.
Premier League chief Richard Scudamore on Monday expressed his anger at the decision.
He said: 'Yeah, very disappointed that`s the word, I think, on behalf of the all the European leagues and particularly the European clubs who provide most of the players for this World Cup.'
A World Cup in January and February 2022 was ruled out to avoid a clash with the Winter Olympics.
The European Clubs’ Association of the major sides in Europe wanted a May-June tournament but that has been rejected for reasons unconfirmed. The Premier League remain opposed to a winter World Cup with a spokesman saying: ‘The 2022 World Cup was bid for and awarded to Qatar as a summer tournament. The prospect of a winter World Cup is neither workable nor desirable for European domestic football.’
While it was long anticipated that the task force would recommend a November-December tournament - and the specific dates still have to be ratified by FIFA’s executive committee (ExCo) next month - official confirmation of the general plan is already causing shock and anger.
The awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar has been dogged by controversy ever since FIFA’s ExCo made that decision in December 2010
Allegations of widespread collusion and corruption overshadowed the process from the beginning. Multiple ExCo members from 2010 have since left surrounded by allegations of corruption. A report by investigator Michael Garcia remains secret, unpublished and subject to dispute between its author and FIFA.
The tournament was never intended to be played any time other than summer 2022. And yet Qatar remain on course - extraordinarily - to stage the event, albeit in winter.
The task force was convened after it became apparent that dangerous summer temperatures in Qatar in summer 2022 would make it unsafe for the players - and fans.
Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa, who is the head of the Asian Football Confederation and head of the task force confirmed on Tuesday that November-December 2022 has now been recommended as the ideal time for the event.
He says all options will be reviewed by the task force recommendation which is expected to be ratified by the ExCo.
‘Some people have concerns, but whatever decision you're going to take will have some questions about it,’ Sheikh Salman said. ‘But we need to look at the overall benefit of everybody.’
The tournament will be shorter than usual by a few days but will remain the same size as currently, with 32 nations playing 64 matches.
The decision is sure to cause a huge furore, not least as the major leagues of Europe, who provide the majority of players to any World Cup finals, voice their opposition to a schedule that will smash a hole in the middle of their domestic calendar for the 2022-23 season, and disrupt seasons either side.
Premier League chief Richard Scudamore on Monday expressed his anger at the decision.
He said: 'Yeah, very disappointed that`s the word, I think, on behalf of the all the European leagues and particularly the European clubs who provide most of the players for this World Cup.'
A World Cup in January and February 2022 was ruled out to avoid a clash with the Winter Olympics.
The European Clubs’ Association of the major sides in Europe wanted a May-June tournament but that has been rejected for reasons unconfirmed. The Premier League remain opposed to a winter World Cup with a spokesman saying: ‘The 2022 World Cup was bid for and awarded to Qatar as a summer tournament. The prospect of a winter World Cup is neither workable nor desirable for European domestic football.’
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