Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore is seething at the prospect of a winter World Cup in 2022 but will not back legal action against FIFA.
It seems certain that although Qatar insist they can provide acceptable conditions for a summer event, the heat will be too extreme.
Switching to a winter tournament would take two months — including preparation time — out of the season but, although Europe’s big five leagues are against the move, Scudamore is adamant they must not go down the legal route.
“I wouldn’t go there,” he said. “That is far too contentious really; taking on the world governing body. We will do our lobbying but it is far too premature to be talking about legal action.”
Scudamore points out that the heat problem was obvious before the voting, adding: “The idea the technical committee did not know people were going to be exposed to that heat is crazy.
“The issue should have been thrashed out around the discussion table. If the Qataris are unable to host a proper tournament in the summer, they shouldn’t have been awarded it. That is my simple view.
“If you can’t fulfil the criteria, you should take it somewhere that can.”
