Qatar 2022: Joseph Blatter acknowledges "mistake" of planning World Cup in "50°C" summer

"Yes, of course. But listen, a mistake ... You know, we make many mistakes in life," said Joseph Blatter, President of FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), on 15/05/2014 in an interview with Swiss television RTS. He was responding to the question, "Is it not a mistake first of all to play matches at 50°C?"; the question addressed the decision to award Qatar a World Cup that should normally take place in the summer.

"The technical report on Qatar stated that it is too hot in summer, but the executive committee, with a fairly large majority, still decided that we will play in Qatar," added Blatter.

On the idea of playing this 2022 World Cup in winter, the FIFA president said, "It is probable, it is even more than 'probable' ... Well, 'probable' is good."

To the question "Did Qatar buy the World Cup?", Joseph Blatter replied: "No, no, no, I would never say they bought it, but there was political pressure. As much from France as from Germany. It is well known that big French and German businesses operate in Qatar, but not just on the World Cup. The World Cup is a…