2022 World Cup Calendar: "The decision can not be made without us" (Frédéric Thiriez, EPFL)

"FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) has decided to initiate a process of negotiation, especially with us, as we had been asking for. From January 2014, we will participate in discussions to study the consequences of a possible calendar change, and decide which is the most suitable period", said Frédéric Thiriez, the new president of the EPFL (Association of European Professional Football Leagues), following the general meeting of the association in Paris on the 25/10/2013.

Whether or not to play the 2022 World Cup in the summer or winter, as a result of the severe summer heat in Qatar, and the subsequent impact a change would have on international and national calendars, was the main subject of the EPFL meeting.

"We know that a decision won't be made in haste. It is inconceivable that a decision is made which would likely upset the national calendars of all European leagues, not just for a season, but the previous and next one too, not only without consulting the EPFL, but without us being a party to the decision", continued Thiriez, who is also president of the…