BY DENZIL PINTO
DOHA: Former Dutch midfielder Ronald De Boer believes a summer World Cup in Qatar is still possible but only if the 2022 showpiece tournament begins in May.
The 43-year-old, who finished his illustrious career in Qatar with Al Shamal in 2008, said the November/December window proposed by FIFA President Sepp Blatter earlier this month, is ‘also possible’ but believes the cooler weather will benefit the fans as well as less changes being made to the football schedule if the tournament was staged in May.
Speaking to The Peninsula at Aspire4Sport, yesterday, De Boer, who won the 1995 Champions League title with Ajax, said: “Of course you can do the winter for a change, that can be possible. A lot of things of what was talked 20 years ago was not possible and now it is easier with the phone we take it for granted. Now it’s for other things maybe for a change of schedule for a World Cup.”
He added: “Maybe in winter it can be perfect because of the fitness of the football players, so I think winter can be possible. But also in my opinion, if you put it one month back in the beginning of May - for me that would be perfect. The most important thing of course is to cool the stadium but the most important thing are the fans. In May, nobody has any problem with the heat when its 32 degrees and it would be cooler in the night which is perfect.”
Speaking of Blatter’s preference of the World Cup being played in November/December, De Boer did agree with the FIFA President, but still believes May is the best month.
“November/December is also possible. Now I have thought about it and in my preference I had thought about November/December. But now I think May is best in that you don’t have to shuffle everything together.
“For me, May is my favourite, and you have to see it once to see if it is good or not,” said the former Ranger attacking midfielder where he scored 39 goals in 104 appearances for the Scottish club.
Despite favouring the November/December window, Blatter insists any announcement on the exact dates of the 2022 World Cup will not be made until the Brazil event is finished next year.
The former Barcelona player also understands the reasons why Richard Scudamore, chief executive of the English Premier League (EPL) has come out against plans of moving the World Cup to winter
“I can understand the EPL’s criticism. The EPL is a product, a form of marketing. It is one of the biggest competitions in the world. Everyone loves to see the Premier League. I was in China and they love the Premier League. The African Cup of Nations is played in January/February, and African players are released to play if they are called up. It’s not easy but you have to see if everybody is happy,” said De Boer.
After playing in Holland, Spain and Scotland, De Boer moved to Qatar in 2004 where he played for Al Rayyan for one season as well as Al Shamal with his younger twin brother Frank, now manager of Ajax. THE PENINSULA
