The tensions within FIFAover the timing of the 2022 World Cup have been laid bare after its general secretary was rebuked by its British vice-president for suggesting the tournament could yet be played in 2023.
Jerome Valcke took to French radio to reveal football’s biggest event was likely to be held in Qatar “sometime between November 15 and January 15”, for the first time raising the prospect of it spanning two years.
Jim Boyce was clearly riled by the comments, declaring himself “completely shocked” by them and insisting he and his fellow Fifa executive committee members would decide at the end of this year or the beginning of next when the 2022 World Cup would be played.
Fifa attempted to minimise the impact of Valcke’s pronouncement, which was merely the latest either from him or president Sepp Blatter paving the way for the tournament to be moved to the end of 2022 to avoid Qatar’s extreme summer temperatures.
However, Valcke – who is spearheading the consultation process over whether any switch from the summer should take place – had previously ruled out the World Cup kicking-off in late 2021 or ending in early 2023, seemingly out of concern over the legal implications of such timing.