UEFA president Michel Platini has revealed that the 2022 Qatar World Cup must be played in winter and his stance has put him in direct opposition to some of Europe's biggest leagues and clubs, who want the tournament to be staged in May.
The World Cup is usually held in June and July, but FIFA has been informed that Qatar's searing summer temperatures would put players' health at risk.
Platini said that it would never be in April, May or June, adding that it would be in winter, The BBC reported.
He added that the 2022 Champions League semifinals and final could be moved to June if necessary, saying the clubs would accept whatever decision was made. He said that it's not the clubs that are playing, it's the players and it's not possible to play in May when it's 40 degrees.
The English Premier League, Spain's La Liga and the German Bundesliga think a May World Cup would cause the least disruption as FIFA attempts to find an alternative date to June and July.
But the favourite dates are either November and December or January and February.
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FIFA's preference is for a switch to November and December. President Sepp Blatter has already agreed that a World Cup would not clash with the Winter Olympics, which appears to rule out a move to January and February.
But UEFA, which governs European football, is opposed on the grounds it would impact on the Champions League group stages, a stance backed by the Premier League.
Platini said that as president of UEFA, he has no problem whether it's in November, December, January or February. He added that for the competition of the Champions League, they have no problem.
He said that their clubs in England, the Premier League have a problem, but added that they have to find a compromise. He said that everybody has to lose something but in the end he thinks winter would be a good date.
Platini said that it would not be in April, it would not be in May or June or July or September. He said that the tournament would be November, December or January.