But what is FIFA playing? Since yesterday, we have been wondering. And we struggle to understand. The International Football Federation, singled out since its decision to grant Qatar the World Cup in 2022, demonstrated once again yesterday its sense of disorder and even, let's be clear, ridiculous.
It all started with an interview given to France Inter by Jérôme Valcke, the secretary general of FIFA. Questioned by public radio, the Frenchman was very categorical in affirming, without nuance or recourse to the conditional, that the 2022 World Cup would not take place in summer. “The dates of the World Cup will not be June-July,” assured Jérôme Valcke. Frankly, I think it will be played between November 15 and January 15 at the latest. »
Very lively, the Secretary General put forward his arguments, as an expert on the weather in the Gulf region: “If you play between November 15 and the end of December, that is the time when the weather is at its worst. favorable, where you play in a temperature that is equivalent to that of a somewhat warm spring in Europe, at an average temperature of 25 degrees. So, it's perfect for playing football. »
Basically, nothing new. And not really enough to shake up the football world. There is no doubt today that the 2022 World Cup cannot take place in the heat of summer, when the thermometer in Doha climbs to 40 or 45° during the day. But FIFA likes to maintain a semblance of suspense. Above all, she affirms with her hand on her heart that nothing has yet been decided. Its leaders are therefore called upon to remain very vague on the subject. An obligation of reserve which applies, of course, to its secretary general.
No wonder, in these conditions, that Jérôme Valcke's comments were immediately denied by FIFA. The International Federation announced in a press release that its number 2 had expressed "his point of view" and that the date of the event "was still the subject of consultation" with "the international football community » and its “business partners”.
This first hiccup was soon followed by another. Questioned by the media, FIFA vice-president, Briton Jim Boyce, did not hesitate to declare himself “totally surprised” by this announcement. Before adding that “all the protagonists will have discussions and report to the FIFA executive committee”. According to him, no decision will be taken before the end of 2014, or even March 2015. Jérôme Valcke therefore spoke too early.
Behind the scenes, a man rubs his hands at the confusion that seems to reign within FIFA. Questioned by the Team, Michel Platini, the president of UEFA, used irony: “During the executive committee which was held at the beginning of October, it was decided to launch a major consultation of all of football and that A decision would not be made before the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. It was also agreed not to talk about this subject until then. So I don't see why it's being discussed publicly. Two months ago, it was Blatter who spoke about it. Now it's Valcke. While this is a decision that falls under the FIFA executive committee. But maybe the executive committee is useless… In fact, some people like to talk.”
