Football’s governing body FIFA is in danger of coming into dispute with top clubs in Europe over its handling of the decision to give World Cup 2022 to Qatar and the expansion of the international footballing calendar, with many of the European leagues, in particular the Premiership, stretched as things currently stand.
FIFA apparently did not consult clubs over its suggestions that the World Cup might be played in the winter months in Qatar – which would have huge ramifications for Europe’s premier league fixtures – instead of playing in the hot summer, as proposed by the Qatar bid. The Qatar soccer organisation has continued to insist that the World Cup will be played in their summer, as originally planned.
The heads of both Barcelona and Manchester, President Sandro Rosell and Chief Executive David Gill, respectively, have both expressed their surprise over FIFA’s handling of the affair.
With UEFA Champions League coming up in the next week, many competing clubs have also expressed concerns at the wisdom of having 4 games plus travelling in the space of only 10 days.
Umberto Gandini of AC Milan also expressed his displeasure at FIFA’s treatment of the international calendar. An alternative has been proposed by the European Club Association, including a limit of one international tournament annually and, instead of having individual games, to have entire periods for the national teams. Commenting, Michele Centaro of the association said that there must be greater transparency in FIFA decision-making, particularly where those decisions impact on club football.
All of this couldn’t have come at a worse time for controversial FIFA President Sepp Blatter, with elections imminent.