Richard Scudamore: Has called for FIFA to change the host of the 2022 World Cup if it cannot be held in the summer in Qatar
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Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore says it would be "nigh on impossible" for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to be moved to winter.
Concerns have been raised over the searing summer temperatures in the Gulf state and the dangers that would pose to players and spectators.
As a result there have been increasing calls for the competition to be switched to winter, with the tournament organisers confirming they are willing to make the move if necessary.
That would, of course, mean a significant reshuffle to the domestic football calendar, something Scudamore does not think is possible given the extent of the disruption it would cause.
"The international football calendar is one that has to be consulted through; it is not something FIFA can just decide because the whole of world football has an interest in that."
Richard Scudamore
"They've decided to hold the World Cup in the summer in Qatar and that's their decision," he told Sky Sports News.
"If that is deemed to be not possible, for whatever reasons FIFA decide and that is their decision not ours as to where they hold the World Cup, then they need to either move the location if it can't be held in the summer or we can't just on a whim decide to move it to winter, that's a very different issue."
When asked whether it would be impossible for the World Cup to be moved to winter, he added: "Of course, it's extremely difficult, nigh on impossible in our view.
"Where they award the summer World Cup to is entirely the FIFA executive committee's decision, entirely their decision, not our business.
"The international football calendar is one that has to be consulted through; it is not something FIFA can just decide because the whole of world football has an interest in that.
"There is a whole series of complications around that and that consultation process has to be a separate consultation process with leagues and associations on a global basis, not just the Premier League and European Leagues, to make sure it works for everybody."
Source : http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11661/8871243/world-cup-richard-scudamore-says-world-cup-switch-is-nigh-on-impossible