Blatter against January date for 2022 World Cup
MARRAKECH — FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke says President Sepp Blatter will oppose a January kick-off for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, despite it being a key option under consideration.
MARRAKECH — FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke says President Sepp Blatter will oppose a January kick-off for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, despite it being a key option under consideration.
Valcke tried to narrow the choice to January-February or November-December after FIFA last month hosted leaders of confederations, leagues, clubs and players’ unions.
They meet against on Feb 23, Valcke says, but the first option is dismissed by International Olympic Committee member Blatter.
January-February “will potentially impact the (2022) Olympic Winter Games so that’s definitely not for him a real option,” said Valcke.
Valcke says winter sports think it is “unfair from football” to try to occupy January. European clubs and leagues still propose a May tournament to avoid Qatar’s hottest summer months. Valcke added that FIFA’s executive committee will decide on the matter in March. AP
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