World Cup

FIFA chief "shocked" by Jerome Valcke comments

By Jack Prescott, Rugby Editor | 08 January 2014

FIFA vice president Jim Boyce insists that there has been no executive decision over moving the Qatar 2022 World Cup to the winter.

FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce has insisted that there has been no executive decision over moving the Qatar 2022 World Cup from the summer.

Secretary general Jerome Valcke claimed on Wednesday that the tournament was likely to be held 'between November and January at the latest' following concerns over weather conditions in the Gulf state.

However, Boyce has expressed his shock at the timing of Valcke's comments.

"I'm totally, completely shocked to be honest," the Irishman told Sky Sports News. "The situation as I am aware was that the FIFA executive committee would be awaiting a report set up by all the stakeholders involved in the World Cup.

"They would be meeting between now and the World Cup being held in Brazil next summer and reporting back to the exective meeting and there would no futher discussions on Qatar 2022 until another executive meeting in December 2014.

"Whether Jerome was making a personal opinion or not I just don't know but I can honestly confirm that this has not been discussed at the executive commmittee of FIFA."

Qatar won the bid to stage the 2022 World Cup back in December 2010.