IOC Says It Has Gotten Assurances 2022 World Cup Won't Conflict with Olympics

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has reached out to the IOC with a promise that a potential 2022 World Cup in the months of January or December won't interfere with the Winter Olympics, according to The Associated Press (via ESPN.com).    

IOC spokesman Mark Adams confirmed Blatter told the organisation FIFA would make sure the two events wouldn't clash.

"It is in the interest of both organizations that there is no clash between our calendars," said Adams. "We have received assurances from President Blatter that this will not be the case."

FIFA controversially awarded the 2022 World Cup to Qatar, knowing full well summer conditions in the Arab state are hardly suited for a massive sporting event. Several alternatives have been discussed in the past few months, including moving the tournament to winter.

As shared by The Guardian's David Conn, the European clubs are very much opposed to such an idea:

It now appears the IOC can be added to the list of organisations skeptical a winter World Cup would be a good idea. The Winter Olympics traditionally take place in February, and the IOC obviously wants as little competition for television slots and sponsorship deals as possible.

According to WorldSoccerTalk's Caitlin O'Connell, the January/February time period is one of two winter windows FIFA is currently considering, along with November/December. But a November/December tournament would take place just two months after the start of the European club season and complicate the UEFA Champions League calendar.

As reported by Reuters, via The Guardian, the European clubs are not amused with the proposal. ECA vice-chairman Umberto Gandini sent a strong message to FIFA, saying:

"

It would be very important to have strong arguments to convince the European game to disrupt its season in favour of a World Cup in another part of the year.

There must be very good reasons for moving the World Cup from its conventional slot because it will jeopardise the entire game worldwide.

"

Other leagues worldwide often have to adapt their structures to accommodate a summer World Cup, the traditional slot for the tournament, but the vast majority of international players (and particularly the stars) ply their trade in one of the European leagues.

Because of this, the ECA holds a lot of leverage in the discussions. And with new elections for the presidency of FIFA on the way, Blatter can hardly afford any more negative press. Then again, per Gary Lineker, the Swiss former hockey player hardly has any competition for the position:

"

Sepp Blatter confirms he will stand for re-election as FIFA president. Can he, though, see off the challenge of.....erm...Sepp Blatter?

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) September 8, 2014"

An agreement with the IOC is a first step towards a possible solution, however, and while the European clubs may not like the thought of changing their calendar to accommodate a winter World Cup, the players will undoubtedly rejoice at the thought of not having to play in Qatar's scorching summer heat.

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