Former FA Chair David Bernstein said that FIFA "should consider a re-bidding process for the 2022 World Cup rather than move the competition to winter," according to Martyn Herman of REUTERS. A move from summer to winter "would have severe consequences for the world's biggest domestic leagues such as the English Premier League which has already voiced fears over a winter World Cup." Bernstein: "My end view is either that it should be left where it is or there should be a re-bidding process. It was a strange award in the first place, we all know that." Bernstein said that "he was against the idea of the tournament being moved as Qatar won the right to host the World Cup on the basis of a summer bid, using air-conditioned stadia" (REUTERS, 8/18).
'SERIOUS BUSINESS': The BBC reported Bernstein's successor FA Chair Greg Dyke suggested that FIFA could either change when the tournament is played or change the location, adding "that the former is more likely than the latter." However, Bernstein -- similarly to the EPL -- "opposes a change of dates." He said, "It's a huge issue. My personal view on this is unchanged. In 2010 FIFA awarded two World Cups at the same time. It was a controversial thing to do and I believe that FIFA regret doing it now. Bidding for a World Cup is a serious business. There is a lot of money and national prestige involved" (BBC, 8/18). INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL's Paul Nicholson reported Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has added his voice to the Qatar 2022 debate, saying that "he is confident that Qatar will host a 'magnificent' World Cup." A statement issued via the AFC media office, however, "stops short of entering the Winter vs. Summer discussion, saying he is confident that FIFA will make the best decision for all" (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 8/16).
