FIFA president Sepp Blatter has said that he would prefer to play the 2022 Qatar World Cup in November and December.
“We are starting the consultations to bring it to the winter time. It can only be done in November-December, not January-February,” Blatter said in comments published by AFP.
The prospect of moving the 2022 World Cup from its traditional June and July slot has angered winter sports federations because of a possible clash with that year’s Winter Olympics.
Winter sports federations and broadcasters argue that a high-profile football event clashing with their own seasons would dent television audiences and revenues.
England’s Premier League has led the opposition to moving the start date of the tournament.
Last week, it was reported that Blatter would raise concerns over working conditions and moving the 2022 World Cup during a visit to meet the new Qatari Emir later this month.
Qatar has come under fire since being awarded the rights to host the prestigious tournament, with complaints that foreign labourers used to build new stadiums are dying due to poor conditions, and concerns the series should not be held during the searing summer heat.
Blatter said he was mandated by the organisation to meet with Qatar Emir Tamim Bin Hamad, who took the helm after his father voluntarily abdicated in June.
Human rights groups and trade unions claim dozens of labourers already have died while working on World Cup infrastructure in Doha.
Blatter has so far avoided public comment on the matter.
However, he has repeatedly said he no longer supports hosting the tournament in Qatar’s summer, when temperatures can reach 50 degrees.
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