German Football League (DFL) president Reinhard Rauball has criticised FIFA for insisting they will not compensate European clubs despite proposals to hold the 2022 World Cup in November and December.
Plans to play the 2022 tournament in Qatar in the middle of the European season have still to be ratified next month by FIFA’s executive committee, but the proposal has met widespread condemnation in Germany.
The FIFA proposal is based on common sense due to extreme temperatures in the Middle East state during June and July, when World Cup finals are traditionally held, but the date switch would cause major disruption to European competitions.
On Tuesday, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, chairman of the European Club Association, said he expected FIFA to compensate Europe’s leagues and clubs for losing their top players at a key stage of the season, but FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke has said there will be “no financial compensation given”.
“I agree very much with Karl-Heinz Rummenigge that FIFA is obliged to pay compensation to those leagues clearly disadvantaged,” said Rauball.
“The terse sentence I read this morning, that this is not an option, is unacceptable,” said the 68-year-old German.
“As far as I am concerned, it is an affront.”
Rauball says he expects a long battle with FIFA and has already planned his campaign.
“We have to see that we build up a broad basis with other countries in Europe who are also affected,” he said.
“Then you have to see who can be involved with this until the very end, as not everyone has a term in office until 2022.” – Agence France-Presse
