Sepp Blatter and the 2022 Qatar World Cup

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has caused controversy again, this time by hinting that the 2022 World Cup Finals in Qatar could be staged in the winter, to avoid the searing temperatures of the Middle East. The health risks of the 50 degrees plus temperatures in June and July were seemingly ignored by the committee members, despite being mentioned in the official evaluation reports.

This would force the Premier League and other European leagues to abandon the traditional August to May schedule that we have grown to know and love for years, possibly for the long term.

There is nothing in FIFA’s regulations that state the World Cup must be held in June and July, however due to them being the hottest two months of the year in Qatar, it will have to be considered.

Love him or loathe him, Blackpool manager Ian Holloway once again made the headlines with his opinion on things. After expressing his opinions on Blatter, Holloway then took a comical view of things. “You wait till I get home and tell my turkeys ‘don’t worry it ain’t Christmas, we’re moving it. I’ve had a word with FIFA and we’re gonna move Christmas.”

This winter proposal is not the only thing that has been mentioned referring to the Qatar World Cup of 2022. The same day, Blatter also mentioned his views on the possibility of staging some matches in neighbouring countries – something which had previously not been suggested. It was revealed that the 74 year old had met with officials from Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait during a visit to the region.

The FIFA President also angered gay rights groups in the same week by suggesting gay fans travelling to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup should ”refrain from any sexual activities”.

Gay groups are worried about the welcome that will be received by homosexual fans, with the Gay Football Supporter's Network saying at the time of Fifa's decision: “We do not feel the World Cup should be held in any country that abuses and disregards the basic human rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people.”

Blatter insists however that there is ‘too much concern over a competition that is to be held in 12 years time.’

“It’s a results business,” has been mentioned on numerous occasions in the past in relationship to the departure of managers. However, can the sackings of Chris Hughton at Newcastle United and Sam Alladyce from Blackburn Rovers on Monday link to this generally regarded opinion?

Hughton left the Magpies following the 3-1 defeat to West Brom and became the first Premier League manager of the season to lose his job. This sacking came as much as a shock to the players as it did to anyone in the football industry. Veteran defender Sol Campbell claimed the decision ‘made no sense.’

The club released a statement mentioning that ‘an individual with more managerial experience was needed to take the club forward.’ What has Alan Pardew ever achieved in the top flight apart from relegation? Pardew was appointed just 3 days after the Hughton decision, so one would expect it to have already been in the pipeline before the West Brom result.

The second top-flight managerial casualty came just a week later with Sam Allardyce being relieved of his duties at Ewood Park. Admittedly ‘Fat Sam’ has lost three of his last five games in charge of the Lancashire club, but Blackburn were only one win away from 7^th place.

The new owners stated that they are on the lookout for a British manager; however ex Tottenham manager Martin Jol leads the way according to William Hill. Venky’s Group have also said: “We want good football and Blackburn to be fourth or fifth in the league – or even better.” The last time Rovers finished in the top 5 was the year they won the Premier League; the 1994/95 season. Can they really compete with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham?