FIFA President Sepp Blatter has given the "biggest indication yet that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be moved from summer to winter time," according to SKY SPORTS. FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke "sparked a storm" last week after telling a French radio station that the tournament would "likely be held in November, December or January" of 2022. Blatter reiterated that "any official decision would be left until the end of 2014" but said, "In 2015 we will make a decision whether yes or no we play in summer or winter but the tendency is definitely it is too hot in summer so let's find a solution to play in winter" (SKY SPORTS, 1/14). SPORTAL's Michael Huguenin reported Blatter has "questioned the media's focus on Qatar 2022 when Brazil 2014 is just around the corner." Blatter "played down the spat," revealing a "sense of bemusement at the media's overriding interest in Qatar stories." Blatter: "It is interesting that the ... media go on Qatar with only eight years to go and we have the World Cup now in 2014 and it would be more interesting to talk now about the World Cup in 2014." Blatter added that Valcke had "not said anything new." Blatter: "It is now two years ago that [UEFA President Michel] Platini already said we shall play in winter. One year and a half ago I said we shall analyze the situation and, if it is possible, to go and play in winter" (SPORTAL, 1/14).
AFTER THE WHISTLE: In Sydney, Michael Lynch opined "with the revelations last week that the organisation is now set to shift the timing of the competition from its traditional June-July slot to November-December," FIFA is "hoist on its own petard." If it's "possible for an organisation already regarded by most people with scorn and contempt to earn for itself even more opprobrium, FIFA has done so." I have "no problem with the concept of a 'winter' World Cup." For much of the world, the "November to January period is actually summer and a tournament staged at that time might actually be preferable for many despite its disruption to the major European leagues." I "do have a problem, however, with FIFA shifting the goalposts so shamelessly and brazenly not just while the game is in process but three years after the final whistle has blown." FIFA is "not the game: the supporters, players and the game's governing bodies in each country should reclaim their property." They should "stare down the threat of excommunication" from the "football family," act in concert and "use this ugly, tainted episode to finally force change" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 1/14).
