FIFA’s weather-related move of the 2022 World Cup from to November-December has its first legal challenge.
The Spanish league has filed an appeal against FIFA’s decision to switch the tournament’s dates due to searing summer temperatures in Qatar, saying the 8-week break midway through the season would cost the league close to $72 million.
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The legal move, of course, comes as many in the world hope that FIFA will strip hosting duties from Qatar over issues as far-ranging as bribery to horrific workers’ conditions (and horrific might be an understatement).
From the Associated Press:The Spanish league is a member of the European Professional Football Leagues group, which was consulted.
FIFA rejected a European clubs and leagues proposal to play in May-June.
Spanish sports newspaper As quoted LFP President Javier Tebas as saying he had filed the lawsuit “in defense of the interests of the clubs that are contributing to the international teams.”
In many ways, it’s easy to think a location change for the 2022 tournament is inevitable, but never forget how high-powered of a legal defense can be purchased with Qatari and FIFA money. The tournament may’ve been awarded in a foul manner, but work has already begun for the tournament. We don’t have to like it, but presumably this battle may be closer to its beginning than a final resolution.