Platini: Summer World Cup in Qatar impossible

UEFA president Michel Platini has again pleaded to move the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to the winter.

FIFA boss Sepp Blatter has so far insisted the tournament will take place in between domestic football seasons rather than in December or January, but Platini feels world football’s governing body really has no other choice but to reschedule as he feels the heat makes it impossible to hold the event in the summer.

“I voted for Qatar because they have never organised such a tournament before. If you play in Qatar in December of January, the heat is no longer a problem. In the summer, however, it is impossible to play football when it’s 50 degrees Celsius,” Platini said.

“Football is a big family that can adapt to circumstances like this, and move the biggest event in football to the most convenient point in time for everyone.”

The Frenchman stressed that UEFA’s decision to organise Euro 2020 across 13 different countries is a one-off to celebrate the tournament’s anniversary.

He added: “Euro 2020 is an exception. It will be held across several countries to celebrate the European championship’s 60th anniversary.”

Platini also had his say on the future of the Europa League, and made it clear there are unlikely to be any big changes regarding the competition’s format.

“Clubs will get a lot of money if they qualify for the Champions League. Sometimes clubs have to make a choice between domestic success and the Europa League. We realise this is a problem,” he said.

“But it’s very complicated to solve this situation. I do not think that there will be any big changes. Not every club can win the Champions League, but the Europa League is different. That’s what makes it such an entertaining competition.”