The FIFA Executive Committee postponed making a decision Friday about the possibility of moving the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to the winter due to the expected high summer temperatures in the Arab emirate.
Instead, FIFA president Joseph Blatter announced that a task force would be set up to look into the feasibility of a winter World Cup, adding that any decision might not be forthcoming until as late as 2015.
"We will initiate a consultation process with all parties," Blatter told a press conference in Zurich.
"This will take place after the 2014 World Cup. Then we will be able to say with certainty what the best time [to host the event] is."
Blatter had hoped that a definitive decision could be reached by the FIFA board to host the 2022 World Cup in winter, but the 77-year-old re-iterated his position that whatever is decided, Qatar will remain the host nation.
"The decision from December 2, 2010 is still valid," he said in reference to the date Qatar was awarded the right to host the competition.
"There is no reason to call it into question."
Qatar has recently had to deal with severe criticism over working conditions on its World Cup projects after the Guardian reported that 44 Nepalese workers had died in a two-month period from work accidents and heart attacks.
"We are very said about what has happened," Blatter said in reference to the fatalities on World Cup projects.
"Building site fatalities can happen in any country. Who is responsible? The responsibility for workers' rights in Qatar is a responsibility of the contractor. Any intervention can only be made by Qatar.
Blatter revealed that he will travel to the emirate with a FIFA Executive Committee delegation to meet the country's new emir.
"We will confirm to him that the 2022 World Cup will take place in Qatar and we will also discuss working conditions," he said.
Share
