Top European Leagues Threaten Legal Action Over Qatar World Cup

(Photo: Aspire Dome is seen in Doha in this aerial view. Qatar will
host the 2022 World Cup.)

Europe's top leagues could launch legal action against FIFA for the
sporting and economic damage caused by moving the 2022 World Cup to
Qatar, according to the French league president Frederic Thiriez.

At a meeting in Barcelona on Saturday, the European Professional
Football Leagues (EPFL) adopted a resolution slamming the decision to
move the competition from its traditional date in June and July to
November and December to combat the searing heat in the middle-east.

"The EPFL is ready to support any legal actions that the individual
leagues may take in this respect in the near future," said Thiriez.

"The EPFL is very disappointed with the decision of the FIFA ExCo who
decided to move the World Cup to November and December in 2022.

"This is seriously damaging to the European leagues both from a
sporting and a financial point of view.

This decision raises serious questions about the motivations of many
involved in the decision-making process and further demonstrated the
lack of good governance within the national football governing
bodies."

FIFA announced on Friday that it will triple the amount paid to clubs
who release their players for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to $209
million.

However, Thiriez insisted that the EPFL has to look out for the
interests of all clubs with the vast majority of the compensation
promised going to the top clubs in a few leagues.

"The EPFL has the responsiblity to protect the interests of all clubs,
including those that do not release players for the national
associations competitions. Today the interests of those clubs are not
protected."