ROME - Switching the dates of the 2022 World Cup finals to be hosted by Gulf state Qatar from its tradtional mid-year date to December would not be a problem, claimed European football's supremo, Michel Platini, on Monday.

FIFA's decision to award the World Cup to Qatar - a tiny oil-rich nation where temperatures in summer regularly soar past 43 degrees - has attracted a firestorm of controversy.

But UEFA President Platini said that despite protests raised by Europe's major leagues over the disruption that would cause, he could see it being switched.

"If we played in summer, the matches could be played in temperatures of 55 degrees," said the former France football great, who was praised widely for his heading up the organizing of the 1998 finals.

"It is because of this that I have given my assent to the possibility of playing it in the winter, but that does not mean everything should be turned on its head.

"That depends on the federations and the clubs, and the important things is that all this should be addressed to FIFA, who have the final say on the international calendar.

"If we all decide to suspend the domestic championships for a month-and-a-half from December to January, it won't be a huge problem, in fact no problem at all in my opinion," said Platini.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter had already expressed his desire to switch to winter dates, though he was rebuffed by Asian football chief Mohamed Bin Hammam.

Bin Hammam told Sky News in an interview on Jan 14 he was "unimpressed" by Blatter's suggestion.

He also took aim at remarks by Platini earlier in January that the 2022 tournament could be a "Gulf World Cup", with matches taking place in several countries surrounding Qatar.

Bin Hammam's stinging rebuttal of Blatter's comments are certain to fuel speculation the Qatari is planning to challenge the FIFA chief at elections later this year.

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 01/26/2011 page22)