The Qatar 2022 World Cup Supreme Committee insisted on Thursday that it "would not ask FIFA to move the tournament from the summer due to the extreme temperatures in the country," according to the PA. However, former Holland star Ronald de Boer, who became an official ambassador for Qatar's bid after ending his playing career there, "effectively broke ranks." Qatar 2022 Communications & Marketing Dir Nasser al-Khater had "just finished outlining the country's cooling technology plans" at the Leaders in Football conference at Stamford Bridge in London when De Boer interjected. De Boer: "Sometimes, a change is good, and let's see what it does to the world of football. I don't see, really, difficulties. I think it's also beneficial for the tournament itself if it's in the winter. I played there. You can play, especially with the technology, it's amazing what's going to happen. Especially for the fans -- because football is for the fans -- it would be great if it's in the winter." Al-Khater was "adamant it was up to the game's governing body to act." He said, "We're a host and, at the end of the day, the questions you're asking should be asked to the people who govern world football" (PA, 10/11).
