Platini Repeats Qatar Winter World Cup Demand

September 23, 2011

UEFA president Michel Platini repeated his demand on Thursday that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar should be switched to the winter to avoid the crushing heat and humidity of a Gulf summer.

“I don’t change my ideas like I change my shirts, even if it’s hot and I am sweating,” said Platini at UEFA’s executive committee meeting in Cyprus.

“If you are going to go to Qatar in June-July, there’s a good chance it’ll be 55 degrees (Celsius).

“It’s great that the grounds will be air-conditioned but I think that this sporting occasion is the most important in the world.

“The best period is to play in the winter and in November-December 2022, because in January 2022 there will be the Winter Olympics.”