Fifa Rules Out World Cup Compensation
FIFA has made clear that it will not pay compensation to clubs and leagues unhappy about plans to play the 2022 World Cup in Qatar in the winter.
On Monday a FIFA taskforce recommended the World Cup in 2022 take place in November and December to avoid Qatar’s hot summer temperatures, but has faced a backlash from a number of European leagues about the disruption to the Christmas fixture schedule.
However, FIFA added that no apology was necessary for the scheduling of the tournament.
FIFA’s executive committee will meet in Zurich next month to ratify the taskforce’s recommendation.
Speaking at a news conference in Doha on Wednesday, Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke said: “There will be no compensation. There are seven years to reorganise.”
“Why are we talking about compensation? It’s happening once, we’re not destroying football. Why should we apologise to the clubs? We have had an agreement with the clubs that they are part of the beneficiaries. It was $40m (£26m) in 2010 and $70m (£45m) in 2014. We are bringing all our people to enjoy the sporting and financial results of the World Cup.”
Valcke also suggested that a 2022 World Cup final on 23 December was looking increasingly likely.
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