• World Cup 2022

Blatter wants Qatar World Cup to be held in winter

ESPN staff
December 17, 2010
Sepp Blatter 'supports the idea to play in winter' © Getty Images
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FIFA president Sepp Blatter has confirmed he would like to see the 2022 World Cup in Qatar moved to the winter.

As temperatures can reach 50 degrees Celsius during the Qatar summer, questions were raised when FIFA controversially selected the country to host the tournament. The prospect of air-conditioned stadiums had been offered as a solution.

Germany's FIFA member Franz Beckenbauer, though, suggested playing the tournament in January and Blatter has now joined FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke in backing the idea.

"I definitely support [the idea] to play in winter here," he said. "[It is important] to play when the climate is appropriate and I'm thinking about the footballers, not only the fans but the actors."

Concerns have also been raised over Qatar's laws on homosexuality, and Blatter had said gay supporters should "refrain from sexual activity" if they travel to the country.

He has now apologised for those comments. "It was not my intention and never will be my intention to go into any discrimination," he said. "If somebody feels hurt, then I regret and present apologies."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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