22 Dec 2010

Players Union backs change of dates for 2011 world cup

10:15 am on 22 December 2010

The world footballers' union believes the 2022 World Cup in Qatar should be held in the winter instead of summer.

With Gulf summer temperatures hitting 50 degrees, FIFPro has said it is pleased Fifa is open to changing the tournament's timing to address the issue of heat.

The president of world football's governing body, Sepp Blatter, backed a possible switch to January 2022.

In the vote by Fifa's executive committee earlier this month, Qatar beat Australia, Japan, South Korea and the United States to host the World Cup, which is traditionally held in June and July.