FIFA: No compensation for possible winter World Cup

Football world governing body FIFA flexed its muscles again yesterday when it announced that clubs will not get compensation for losing players and suffering domestic disruption due to a 2022 winter World Cup in Qatar. A day after a FIFA task force angered Europe's clubs by recommending a November/December tournament, the organization's secretary general, Jerome Valcke, told reporters there would be no financial payments for any disruption to domestic leagues. "There will be no compensation. There are seven years to reorganize," a bullish Valcke told a Doha press conference. "We are in agreement with the clubs."

European associations representing major clubs from England, Germany and France have already expressed their unhappiness with the switch recommended by a FIFA task force meeting in Qatar on Tuesday, amid speculation that some would seek financial redress for the decision.

"It's not perfect, we know that - but why are we talking about compensation? It's happening once, we're not destroying football. Why should we apologize to the clubs? We have had an agreement with the clubs that they are part of the beneficiaries. It was $40 million in 2010 and $70 million in 2014," Valcke said. On Tuesday, European Clubs' Association chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said Europe's clubs would seek financial compensation, but Valcke ruled that out following a meeting of a FIFA task force in the Qatari capital. The proposed new dates for the event are set to be ratified by FIFA's executive committee next month. Valke also said the duration of the 2022 tournament is set be cut from 32 to 28 days, meaning more games will be played per day, so a country of Qatar's size might need fewer stadiums.

"We are talking about a reduction of the competition in terms of the number of competition days. We are talking about 28 days and not 32 days anymore," Valcke told reporters following the first board meeting with Qatar's 2022 organizing committee. "It is a very special World Cup to organize because we would describe Qatar 2022 as a compact World Cup," he added. "Normally we are looking at 10 (stadiums) but it could be eight."

One of the major challenges facing Qatar was finding an efficient and cost effective way to cool down stadiums during the scorching summer months, which the Gulf state's organizing committee said they were committed to delivering.

If the finals are held in the winter the need for cooling technology will be reduced, although 2022 organizing committee chief Hassan Al Thawadi told yesterday's news conference that the research would carry on.

"We have always said that the cooling technology will be the legacy of the World Cup and beyond... our development of the cooling technology will continue ... our research will continue," he said. Turkish Football Federation Member of Board Arif Koşar said: "I don't think the 2022 World Cup's switch to winter will affect Turkish football. I understand European club officials' worries but our country is both nearer and hotter compared to Europe. Besides, We have cultural, historic ties with Qatar. As for technical difficulties, it is early for us to talk about this matter. Our federation's officials will definitely make proper arrangements for the World Cup. I hope we will be able to participate in the world's biggest football event."