Well the taskforce has met and Fifa have issued a statement confirming the taskforce's recommendation. It said a number of options had been discussed but felt that November-December was the best one because: The two bidding cities for the 2022 Winter Olympics - Almaty (Kazakhstan) and Beijing (China) - plan to hold the event from 4-20 February, 2022 The month of Ramadan begins on 2 April in 2022 And that consistently hot conditions prevail from May to September in the Gulf state The statement continued: "The only remaining effective option is the November/December window." Although it is over seven years before the tournament is due to be played it will have a huge impact on football fixture scheduling & planning for some time before and after the tournament. e.g. World Cup Qualifying programme stretching over longer period? International friendlies to fill in / keep squads together? After the tournament - shortned time for European qualifiers? Pressure on domestic fixtures? Domestic Leagues would lose their players for say three months requiring the season to be rescheduled? Early summer kick off? Early winter break? FA Cup disrupted - will third round be played on its traditional weekend? Christmas football - the international players will be on their post tournament holidays. I am sure there are loads more issues............ The world football authorities have brought this on themselves in not properly considering the implications of holding a tournament in Qatar. It seems it was only after 'the vote' that the health of players / fans in the extreme heat of a summer tournament was considered. The one thing I am looking forward to................my old age pension becomes payable during the tournament
Whilst I understand the issues surrounding a November tournament for Europe I also take on board that Qatar and other areas of the world with ridiculous summer temps cant host a June tournament. Football does not belong to Europe. I was lucky enough to get tickets for Brazil, we saw 5 games at the Maracana and it was easily one of best experiences of my life. I consider myself very fortunate that I'm in a position to travel half way across the world to watch sport. Plenty of people can't afford that massive luxury. Whilst I generally disagree with most of the **** that comes from the very corrupt Fifa the general principal that the 'World' cup should be shared around the world is one I totally agree with. Football is the most popular sport in the world by a distance, we're very lucky (imo) to have such strong leagues and high quality to support by that alone doesn't put us in charge. The tournament should be taken to parts of the world not blessed with top class football. 7 years is plenty of time for everyone to work it out. Sky and Bt might be pissed that they have gaps in their broadcast schedule but it's for 6 weeks once in a lifetime. The domestic cups might have to be adjusted for 1 year e.g no replays in the Fa cup, opt outs for teams in European competition. The P.L could surely manage a bit of Saturday, Tuesday action like the rest of the leagues have to deal with. For Championship sides it'll be similar to the AFCON for PL teams (at worst). Some key players might be away but most will retain the majority of their playing squads. Don't really see the need for a post tournament holiday as the players would be playing constantly at that time anyway. They should be able to return and crack on with playing. The winners might enjoy a beer or 2 but that wont worry many PL squads.
I'm don't have a problem with the time of tournament or the effect on the broadcasters as such. I'm more annoyed that it was blatantly given to Qatar cos they had the most money and clearly bribed their portion of votes in the corrupt shambles that is FIFA.
I agree 100% with that. Probably the most corrupt country in the world holding the next world cup followed by one of the richest......What a coincidence!
How will we manage without all our international players dragged away mid season? Well, there are 7 years for us to get to the position where we have some!
Who knows!? 7 years is a very long time. Portsmouth were winning the FA cup (.......) and mid table PL. Swansea had just got promoted from L1, 7 years ago.
......nothing like optimism Stevo. ......just thinking about it though, which one are you comparing us with as a likely scenario?
How about Man City.....? In 2008 they were in financial limbo with their owner's assets frozen, maybe we could be like them in 7 years! If that happens then I'll be tamping about this whole winter world cup debacle. Is that optimistic enough for you Sparks?
Stevo...Re Man City....shows what you can achieve when you have a billionaire on board.....oh hang on, wait a minute.....
