A top Fifa official announced today that he does not think that the 2022 World Cup will not be held in Qatar because of the scorching temperatures in the Middle East country.
Fifa Executive Committee member Theo Zwanziger told German sports magazine Sport Bild: "I personally think that in the end the 2022 World Cup will not take place in Qatar.”
“Medics say that they cannot accept responsibility with a World Cup taking place under these conditions," the former German football chief added.
"They may be able to cool the stadiums but a World Cup does not take place only there," Zwanziger said. Qatar has insisted that a summer World Cup is viable in the country thanks to cooling technologies currently in development for stadiums, fan zones and training areas, but there is still widespread concern over the health of players and visiting supporters. Average summer temperatures in the emirate nation surpass 38 °C (100 °F) and often approach 47 °C (117 °F).
"Fans from around the world will be coming and traveling in this heat and the first life-threatening case will trigger an investigation by a state prosecutor,” Zwanziger added.
"That is not something that Fifa Exco members want to answer for."
Zwazinger’s intervention follows a number of controversies surrounding Qatar’s World Cup bid. Both Fifa and Qatari organisers have been dodging allegations of corruption ever since they were awarded the tournament in 2010. Qatar has also been criticised by human rights groups for the supposedly abysmal conditions provided for migrant workers' involved in the development of World Cup infrastructure.
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