Red Card to Blatter

Premier League managers have come out against the idea of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar being played in January.  Sepp Blatter, head of world football's governing body Fifa, has backed a switch, conceding that summer temperatures in Qatar are too high.  Some quotes then:

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger warned: "It would create problems between clubs and countries and countries and Fifa.  It would mean completely reorganising the whole world's fixtures, and I cannot see that happening."

The Frenchman continued with a hint of sarcasm: "As you know, we have a Christmas period which is quite busy here, and England would be very happy to play the World Cup in January just after that.  It looks like an idea that has come out of nowhere because nobody was told that when the bid was voted for." 

Fulham manager Mark Hughes said the Premier League would still be playing matches in July if a switch to winter in 2022 happened.  "That's the only way round it from my interpretation. It's going to be a huge change that year and how it impacts we won't know until it actually happens."

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp's sarcastic response was that the idea was "another clever move from Mr Blatter".  

Former England manager Graham Taylor said he found the idea of the switch "amazing":  "If people weren't aware of that prior to the vote then I don't really know what is happening.  He's now saying it's going to be too hot in the summer. I mean everyone's been aware of that for goodness knows how long.  So I really am at a loss for him coming in now and saying there's a possibility of it being played in the winter."

BBC.