Mark Schwarzer has been having a rant on the subject of Qatar 2022.
The World Cup in 2022 has caused serious debate in the footballing world – mainly as it has been awarded to Qatar, with serious concerns over the health implications of playing in the country during their summer.
Temperatures can get up to and beyond 40 degrees in the country and there are growing fears playing in those conditions could lead to serious health risks.
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are genuine possibilities which could lead to life-threatening complications such as cardiac arrest, stroke or permanent brain damage. To any normal thinking human being, the idea of a summer World Cup in Qatar is absolutely insane.
One such person is Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.
The Australian international, currently third-choice at the club behind Thibaut Courtois and Petr Cech, is appalled at the decision to host the World Cup in Qatar – especially as he had hands on experience in that environment.
And he has now slammed FIFA for the decision, suggesting it will take a player to die before FIFA rethink their Qatar World Cup plan.
He told the Leaders in Sport Business Summit yesterday:
“We talk about the World Cup being hosted in Qatar in 2022 asking whether it can be held in June.
“People complain about it being too hot. I’ve played World Cup qualifiers there in June, and it is hot. I played a game in Oman in June one year and it was 43 degrees.
“So why are we banning a World Cup at that time of year when we’ve got World Cup qualifiers at that time of year? You either ban both of them or you don’t.
“Something needs to happen to stop games at that time of year. It is just ridiculous, and it will only happen once probably not just one person, but two or three people drop dead.
“That’s unfortunate, but that’s probably the only way they will do anything. It’s ridiculous, it really is ridiculous to be playing at that time of year and I don’t know why there’s even a debate.”
Schwarzer is of course not alone, as his well put thoughts echo the opinion of most football fans, players and coaches.
Will FIFA take notice?
Look out of your window, are pigs flying?
If not then Schwarzer’s words will join the growing list of many unheard voices begging FIFA to reconsider their mad decision.
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