Post by Macmoish on Dec 10, 2010 7:37:10 GMT
Hmmm!
Guardian
Qatar's neighbours may host 2022 World Cup matches, says Sepp Blatter
• 'Some matches could take place in nearby countries'
• Blatter says decision to give Qatar World Cup was right
Qatar's neighbouring countries could host games at the 2022 World Cup, according to Sepp Blatter, the Fifa president.
Qatar was awarded the 2022 tournament last week, despite fears the intense heat poses a serious health risk if the event is played in summer.
"Australia, in its candidacy bid, proposed to give several matches to New Zealand," Blatter told the French newspaper L'Equipe. "I think it could be the same in Qatar and that some matches could take place in nearby countries."
Fifa was right to award Qatar the World Cup, Blatter reiterated, because football needs to expand from its traditional strongholds. "With Qatar, we are opening football to a new world and a new culture," the Swiss said. "The Arab world, which has tried several times – with Morocco or Egypt for example – to host the World Cup, could legitimately lay claim to hosting this."
Qatar also beat Japan, the United States, and South Korea to the punch.
Qatar has huge financial means to ensure a state-of-the art cooling system in stadiums and training grounds to combat desert heat. Ruled by the Al Thani family, the tiny Gulf nation has committed £27bn for infrastructure upgrades and £2.5bn to build nine stadiums and renovate three others. All the stadiums plan to keep temperatures at about 27C (81F).
Blatter said finance was not a primary motivation for awarding the tournament to Qatar. "If we had wanted to make money, we would have gone to the United States," Blatter said. "You must not forget that they [Qatar] have been making efforts for a while and have already hosted Fifa competitions [such as the Under-20 World Cup]."
www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/dec/09/qatar-2022-world-cup-neighbouring-countries
Guardian
Qatar's neighbours may host 2022 World Cup matches, says Sepp Blatter
• 'Some matches could take place in nearby countries'
• Blatter says decision to give Qatar World Cup was right
Qatar's neighbouring countries could host games at the 2022 World Cup, according to Sepp Blatter, the Fifa president.
Qatar was awarded the 2022 tournament last week, despite fears the intense heat poses a serious health risk if the event is played in summer.
"Australia, in its candidacy bid, proposed to give several matches to New Zealand," Blatter told the French newspaper L'Equipe. "I think it could be the same in Qatar and that some matches could take place in nearby countries."
Fifa was right to award Qatar the World Cup, Blatter reiterated, because football needs to expand from its traditional strongholds. "With Qatar, we are opening football to a new world and a new culture," the Swiss said. "The Arab world, which has tried several times – with Morocco or Egypt for example – to host the World Cup, could legitimately lay claim to hosting this."
Qatar also beat Japan, the United States, and South Korea to the punch.
Qatar has huge financial means to ensure a state-of-the art cooling system in stadiums and training grounds to combat desert heat. Ruled by the Al Thani family, the tiny Gulf nation has committed £27bn for infrastructure upgrades and £2.5bn to build nine stadiums and renovate three others. All the stadiums plan to keep temperatures at about 27C (81F).
Blatter said finance was not a primary motivation for awarding the tournament to Qatar. "If we had wanted to make money, we would have gone to the United States," Blatter said. "You must not forget that they [Qatar] have been making efforts for a while and have already hosted Fifa competitions [such as the Under-20 World Cup]."
www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/dec/09/qatar-2022-world-cup-neighbouring-countries
