FIFA not considering changes to 2022 World Cup
Source: Agencies |
December 8, 2010, Wednesday
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FIFA is not considering changing when the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is played despite fears the intense heat poses a serious health risk if the tournament is played in summer.
FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke said that he accepts "worries about the heat are legitimate" but that the intention remains not to waver from the original plans.
"Certain (people) like Franz Beckenbauer said this weekend that we should change the calendar and put this World Cup in a winter period," Valcke said. "But the invitation to tender was to play this World Cup in June, and that's how it was done and countries replied on this basis."
The international football calendar is set until 2014 and no discussion for any possible changes is expected before then, Valcke said.
Before the World Cup vote, FIFA's technical report labeled Qatar's heat a "potential health risk" with average summer temperatures hovering at 41 degrees Celsius and peaking near 50. Valcke said that won't be a problem since Qatar has huge financial means to ensure a state-of-the art cooling system in stadiums and training grounds.
Ruled by the Al Thani family, Qatar has committed US$42.9 billion for infrastructure upgrades and US$4 billion to build nine stadiums and renovate three others. All the stadiums plan to keep temperatures at about 27 degrees Celsius.
"The players will play in conditions - whether in terms of training or in the stadiums - that are normal conditions," Valcke said. "(The World Cup) will never be at the detriment of the players or fans, or anybody."
FIFA's decision last week to award the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 edition to Qatar was met with a mixture of vitriol and genuine surprise.
Russia was preferred despite England having one of the best technical bids and joint offers from Belgium-Netherlands and Spain-Portugal. Qatar beat Australia, Japan, United States, and South Korea.
Valcke defended the decision to favor new countries and snub traditional football strongholds like England and Spain.
"The Middle East is also part of the football family, and why shouldn't it go to them? Some people say these are brave decisions, others say they are decisions based on the principle of petro dollars," Valcke said. "Perhaps certain (people were critical) in the media or elsewhere. But in terms of the football fan, most fans said, 'It's normal, it's good and it shows that football is open to the whole world.'"
FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke said that he accepts "worries about the heat are legitimate" but that the intention remains not to waver from the original plans.
"Certain (people) like Franz Beckenbauer said this weekend that we should change the calendar and put this World Cup in a winter period," Valcke said. "But the invitation to tender was to play this World Cup in June, and that's how it was done and countries replied on this basis."
The international football calendar is set until 2014 and no discussion for any possible changes is expected before then, Valcke said.
Before the World Cup vote, FIFA's technical report labeled Qatar's heat a "potential health risk" with average summer temperatures hovering at 41 degrees Celsius and peaking near 50. Valcke said that won't be a problem since Qatar has huge financial means to ensure a state-of-the art cooling system in stadiums and training grounds.
Ruled by the Al Thani family, Qatar has committed US$42.9 billion for infrastructure upgrades and US$4 billion to build nine stadiums and renovate three others. All the stadiums plan to keep temperatures at about 27 degrees Celsius.
"The players will play in conditions - whether in terms of training or in the stadiums - that are normal conditions," Valcke said. "(The World Cup) will never be at the detriment of the players or fans, or anybody."
FIFA's decision last week to award the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 edition to Qatar was met with a mixture of vitriol and genuine surprise.
Russia was preferred despite England having one of the best technical bids and joint offers from Belgium-Netherlands and Spain-Portugal. Qatar beat Australia, Japan, United States, and South Korea.
Valcke defended the decision to favor new countries and snub traditional football strongholds like England and Spain.
"The Middle East is also part of the football family, and why shouldn't it go to them? Some people say these are brave decisions, others say they are decisions based on the principle of petro dollars," Valcke said. "Perhaps certain (people were critical) in the media or elsewhere. But in terms of the football fan, most fans said, 'It's normal, it's good and it shows that football is open to the whole world.'"
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