FIFA presidential candidate Jérôme Champagne said that as head of football's governing body he would "seek to move" the 2022 Qatar World Cup from November-December to late European spring -- a step "that would please European associations by averting disruption of their season," according to Mike Collett of REUTERS. The 57-year-old Frenchman also accused Swiss rival Gianni Infantino, who according to UEFA has the broad support of European nations, of abandoning the region's football interests in "backing the change in timing of the tournament from traditional mid-year to avoid searing Gulf summer heat." Champagne said that he did not believe the graft allegations that have pitched FIFA into the "worst crisis in its 112-year history" meant the organization itself was corrupt "no matter what some people might like to believe." FIFA has "changed the timing to the European winter for the 2022 tournament." A move back to European spring "would be hugely popular around the world, not just Europe." Champagne said, "If I am elected president I will reopen the issue of the dates of the tournament in Qatar because I want to defend not only the European leagues, but football around the world" (REUTERS, 1/27).
