European Clubs Back April/May World Cup in Qatar

(ATR) The European Club Association will on Monday propose an April 28 to May 29 Qatar World Cup to a FIFA task force, saying it will have limited impact on the domestic season and international match calendar.

Around the Rings has seen the ECA’s detailed proposal to move the World Cup from the sizzling Qatari summer months.

It would mean kicking off the European domestic leagues for the season 2021/22 two weeks earlier than usual with two to three additional mid-week fixtures necessary. Under the plan, the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 may have to be played over two weeks (instead of the current four).

With a total of 48 dates available to play domestic league and cup fixtures before the proposed April 18 World Cup player release period, the ECA suggests countries with a large amount of domestic fixtures – England, Spain and France – their domestic cups could be played following the World Cup "in a compact 'cup-only' period in June".

This proposal inevitably courts controversy and would not be welcome by players who have competed in the intense environment of the World Cup.

To accommodate additional club football fixtures, the ECA proposes scrapping the two March 2022 internationals.

"Significantly, this proposal would not clash with the Winter Olympic Games in 2022 and would have no impact on any of the confederations’ tournaments in 2023," the ECA said.

As for climatic conditions, the main reason for the expected move away from Qatar’s searing summer heat, the ECA says the temperature in Qatar in April/May is "significantly lower than in June/July and less extreme than the temperature experienced in some previous World Cups," citing Mexico 1986, USA 1994 and this year’s tournament in Brazil. See table below.

ECA chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said the proposal, which will be presented to the FIFA Qatar 2022 Task Force on Monday at at FIFA Headquarters in Zurich is "the best option".

"It takes into account the climate issue while preserving the traditional running of a club football season," he said.

"The impact on national team fixtures and UEFA club competitions remains limited, and the proposal has no impact at all on the Winter Olympics or the confederations’ tournaments in 2023.

"This proposal needs to be seriously considered by all stakeholders. It is an achievable solution."

ATR is told Rummenigge is not able to attend Monday’s task force meeting. No reasons were given. But vice chairman Umberto Gandini and general secretary Michele Centenaro will deliver the proposals to the FIFA panel, which is chaired by Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter still favors a November-December 2022 World Cup, which the ECA has said will cause massive disruption for domestic football leagues and UEFA’s Champions League competition. Qatar 2022 have always maintained they can deliver a safe World Cup for players and fans thanks to air-conditioned technology for stadiums and fan parks.

Proposed Kick-off Times

World Cup Stage

Suggested Kick-Off Times

(Qatar local time)

Temperature in °C

(ø 2003-2013)

WBGT* in °C

(ø 2003-2013)

Group Stage

28 April - 12 May

18:00

32

29.4

20:30

30.5

28.9

23:00

29.7

28.3

Knock-Out Stage

14-29 May

19:00

33.8

30.3

22:00

32.1

29.3

WBGT

24 = no risk of thermal injury

24 to 29.3 = moderate risk

29.4 to 32.1 = high risk

>32.2 = extreme risk

* The Wet BulbGlobe Temperature (WBGT) is a composite temperature used to estimate the effectof temperature, humidity, wind speed (wind chill) and sun radiation on humans.At FIFA matches, additional cooling breaks are considered when the WBGT isabove 32°C.

Source:Meteosuisse

Written by Mark Bisson

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