FIFA President Sepp Blatter has for the first time come out in public and indicated that awarding the 2022 World Cup to Qatar was a big mistake. The temperatures in the Arab country is expected to rise close to 50 degrees which would certainly be inhumane to play Football under the circumstances.
Blatter accepted his mistake in a recent interview in Swiss TV channel RTS, “Of course, it was a mistake. You know, one makes a lot of mistakes in life. The technical report indicated clearly that it was too hot in summer, but despite that the executive committee decided, with quite a big majority, that the tournament would be in Qatar.”
There were suggestions that Qatar had ‘bought’ the tournament but Blatter appears to have squashes any such claims. “No, I have never said it was bought, but that it was due to political considerations.”
Fifa’s secretary general Jerome Valcke has previously said the tournament will not be held from June to July, suggesting instead that it take place between November 15 and January 15.
When also asked about his future in the governing body, the 78 year old sounded confident for yet another term. “At the moment I say I want to finish my mandate well. Of course I am willing to continue.”