'Qatar World Cup a blatant mistake'

By Henry Jackson | Goal 

Fifa executive committee member Theo Zwanziger believes the decision to host the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is "a blatant mistake".

Qatar's bid was favoured over those of the USA, South Korea, Japan and Australia, but concerns over the temperatures in which the games will be played in were raised immediately and the 68-year-old German has voiced his disapproval.

"It was a blatant mistake," he told Sportbild magazine.

"If the decision was really a mistake it should be lifted and should not become an even bigger burden for those who are not involved by changing it to the winter."

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has suggested that the tournament should be moved to the winter to avoid the soaring temperatures in the Middle East, but the former German Football Association chief feels this would only hamper the domestic season across Europe.

"Changing the World Cup to the winter is going deep into the structures of European national federations and also amateur football in Germany," he added.

"A change in playing schedules does not only affect the Bundesliga but continues affecting lower divisions due to the link with promotion and relegation. The game pyramid is in danger and so is the unity of German football."