Qatar 2022 date change strengthens calls for FIFA overhaul

Lobby group New FIFA Now believe FIFA’s recommendation that Qatar 2022 be played in November and December “underscores the need for change”.

New FIFA Now has claimed that the move to hold Qatar 2022 in the middle of the European football season “underscores the need” for a complete overhaul of international football governance.

While Australian spokesperson Bonita Mersiades insisted “the need for change at FIFA” is not about solitary decisions, she conceded that the latest revelation regarding the 2022 World Cup could lead to fresh support for New FIFA Now.

FIFA announced on Tuesday that their task force has recommended for Qatar to hold a World Cup during the Middle Eastern nation’s winter months rather than the traditional period of June and July.

No compensation for clubs over 2022 World Cup

FIFA says there will be no compensation for clubs for the November-December World Cup in Qatar in 2022.

There will be no compensation for clubs over the decision to move the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to November and December, according to FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke.

On Tuesday, it was announced that a FIFA task force had recommended the last two months of the year as the best time to hold the finals, with temperatures in Qatar in the traditional months of June and July regularly soaring above 40 degrees centigrade.

Although the likes of UEFA and the Confederation of African Football backed the recommendation, major European leagues such as the Premier League and La Liga opposed the notion, with a final decision to be made next month.

Amnesty International: Qatar must improve labour conditions

Amnesty International still has concerns surrounding the apparent abuse of migrant labour in Qatar ahead of the World Cup in 2022.

Human rights organisation Amnesty International believes organisers of the Qatar World Cup in 2022 can and should improve their treatment of migrant workers.

In a week in which a FIFA task force recommended the tournament be held in November and December amid fears over the risks of playing during the country’s stiflingly hot summer months, other concerns still persist, with deaths having been recorded on World Cup construction sites.

Amnesty International’s Gulf migrant rights researcher Mustafa Qadri explained to Perform: “We are not opposed to Qatar hosting the World Cup, we don’t take issue as to when it should be played either.

Qatar World Cup final no later than December 18 – Blatter

FIFA president Sepp Blatter says the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar should be played no later than December 18.

Sepp Blatter says the World Cup final in Qatar in 2022 should be played no later than December 18.

Earlier this week, a FIFA task force announced its recommendation for the 2022 event to be played in November and December, to avoid soaring temperatures in Qatar in the traditional World Cup months of June and July.

The notion was opposed by the some of the major domestic leagues around Europe, although UEFA and the Confederation of African Football voiced their support.

It had been reported that the proposed date for the final was December 23, just two days before Christmas, but Blatter appears to have ruled out such a late date for the showpiece.

“We have to stop at the 18th,” he said.