A FIFA taskforce established to provide options for the controversial 2022 Qatar World Cup has returned with the answer that everybody interested in football has known for months.
Eyebrows were raised very highly indeed when Qatar was announced as the host nation for the 2022 World Cup. Now, a FIFA-appointed taskforce has reported back following an extensive research period with a shocking conclusion. Temperatures exceeding 40°C are hot.
“Having undergone forecast predictions and testing, we have decided that a summer World Cup in Qatar is not a feasible option,” said a spokesperson for the taskforce.
“We now propose to move the World Cup to the winter, where it will unfortunately interfere with the English domestic league. However, during our consultation with England manager Roy Hodgson, he agreed his side will not be there beyond the group stages, so we predict the impact to English players will be very low. But as the majority of the Premier League involves foreign players, there will be a high level of disruption to top clubs.”
This controversy has swept around the football world since the announcement last year. With many people predicting this issue even before the tournament was awarded to Qatar, questions have again been raised over FIFA’s ineptitude.
Premier League bosses and players have criticised the move, with the latter worried about potential health risks should the tournament be played in summer.
““I am extremely disappointed by this whole fiasco,” said one Premier League player who refused to be identified.
“We play in England. It is freezing. If they expect me to play in 40°C, I may end up working up a sweat. Is this the way to treat a professional such as myself. I say no.”
“FIFA has come under a lot of scrutiny for their actions recently and I think this is yet another issue that needs to be examined.”
With just seven years to go until the World Cup kicks off, questions are being asked whether FIFA now have enough time to undo the damage they have caused with this decision.
The Story: 2022 World Cup: Tournament set for November and December.
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