Qatarstrophic Decision

UEFA President Michel Platini is adamant that he wants to reschedule the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to winter because temperatures can reach up to 50°C in summer. When the ludicrous decision to let what is essentially a sandbox host arguably one of the biggest sporting events in the world, a statement on the Qatari bid site read: 

So basically, the plan was to build air-conditioned stadiums so that spectators and players could cope in the blistering middle-eastern heat. But now, apparently that plan isn't good enough for Platini, who has now said:

First of all, I can't help think he's being very optimistic thinking that there's going to be a lot of fans there. Who in their right mind would want to travel over 3000 miles to a country with not much to offer other than an abundance of oil?

In regards to this quote, it seems a fair point. However, the problem which either Mr Platini hasn’t considered or he’s simply not bothered about, is the fact that all the countries competing will have to change their season schedule to have an extended winter break. The way the World Cup has always worked, is that, holding it in summer, means that players have the short break from the long previous season, and are then able to train with the national team and improve match fitness. But with Platini’s ‘genius’ plan, Premier League players will play between August to November, then have a month long break to head to Qatar, then come back, and continue with the domestic league. It’s just not logical. Managers need to be with the players every week to train and come up with new tactics. To just break that system off for a month could have a crippling effect on clubs. Of course, not only the players who are lucky enough to be selected for their national team will be affected, but also the ones who aren't. I presume they’re just supposed sit around, and do some personal training for a month, and then instantly gain match fitness again when the rest of the players return. 

The moment when millions of people worldwide said "WHAT?!"

The way things are looking, with the amount of controversy surrounding the whole event; it seems the 2022 World Cup has the potential to be an absolute washout. Whether it’s allegations about bribery, disillusionment at the sheer fact Qatar won the bid, worries about the laws of the country (We Brits know that beer and football go hand in hand), and now this. I can’t help but think the fan turnout will be extremely poor.

Here’s a clip of Ian Holloway talking about the same subject. I have a lot of respect for him, and at times, it seems like he's the only person left in football, that really cares about the way the game has and is still going in.

And here's the standard of football we can look forward to seeing from the Qatari National squad:

Thanks for taking the time to read, and i'd love to hear other people's opinions on the subject.

Follow me at @danielwalls91