Summer World Cup in Qatar ‘a mistake’: Blatter
Print Edition
It is “a mistake” to hold the World Cup in the searing summer heat of Qatar, FIFA President Sepp Blatter said in a television interview.
“Yes. Well, a mistake. A mistake. You know one makes many mistakes in life. The technical report on Qatar clearly indicated that it was too hot in summer,” Blatter told Swiss TV station RTS on Thursday. “But the (FIFA) executive committee decided with quite a large majority that we are going to play in Qatar.”
Blatter also said it was “more than likely” that the 2022 tournament will be moved to winter to avoid the extreme heat of June and July in the Gulf nation.
Yesterday, FIFA issued a statement insisting that Blatter was not questioning the choice of Qatar itself.
“As explained in his answer to the journalist, the president reiterated that the decision to organize the World Cup in summer was an ‘error’ based on the technical assessment report of the bid, which had highlighted the extremely hot temperatures in summer in Qatar. At no stage did he question Qatar as the host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup,” FIFA said.
In the interview, Blatter denied a suggestion that Qatar used its vast gas and oil wealth to buy the World Cup. He said political pressure from France and Germany had a role in FIFA’s choice of Qatar, noting that major companies from both those European nations work in the Gulf state.
“I will never say that they bought it, because it was political pushing. Really, both in France and Germany,” Blatter said.
France’s Foreign Ministry denied that assertion, calling it “without foundation”.
Asked whether the World Cup was likely to be held in the European winter, the 78-year-old replied: “It’s probable, yes. In fact, it’s more than probable.”
FIFA launched an investigation last year into alleged corruption surrounding the voting procedure for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, awarded to Russia and Qatar respectively.
The choice of Qatar was particularly controversial given that the small Arab nation has little footballing culture and summer temperatures can exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit (40 Celsius).
FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke said in January that the 2022 Cup would not be played in the summer months but was likely to be held between November and January.
The soccer body has said no decision will be taken until after this year’s World Cup finals in Brazil with all stakeholders and commercial partners to be consulted.
Asked about his future at the helm of FIFA, Blatter again indicated he would stand for a fifth term in next year’s election.
“At the moment I say I want to finish my mandate well. Of course I am willing to continue,” he said.
Blatter, who has led FIFA since 1998, will be 79 when the election is held next May.
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