(MENAFN- Qatar News Agency) FIFA President Sepp Blatter has praised the positive outcomes of his recent meeting with HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, adding: "It is clear that Qatar takes its responsibility as host seriously and sees the FIFA World Cup as a catalyst for positive social change".
Blatter, who was talking during a press conference held at the end of FIFA Executive Committee's meeting on Friday, said: "During my visit to Qatar last Saturday and Sunday I discussed important issues and I was updated on the envisaged move of the 2022 FIFA World Cup staging period to November/December, which was formally announced yesterday." "During my stay in Doha I discussed the issue of workers who are involved in the preparation for the World Cup," he said, adding it is encouraging to hear HH the Emir's personal commitment to workers' welfare and to get a sense of the improvements planned for all workers in Qatar.
The FIFA President added things were going in the right direction in all respects with regards to Qatar's preparations for the World Cup in 2022, pointing out that Qatar's door is open and welcomes visits and follow-up of its preparations for the event, and that FIFA can send at any time individuals or committees to follow up the work on the ground.
On Thursday, FIFA announced after its executive committee made the decision that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be played in November and December with the final taking place on December 18.
The FIFA President Sepp Blatter called for an end to "political interference" from the European parliament and insisted the World Cup would definitely take place in Russia in three years' time. "The World Cup will take place in Russia in 2018, that's sure," said Blatter. "They are working very hard and a boycott of a World Cup or of any sporting event has never brought any solutions to anybody." "In Russia, to the contrary, the World Cup will be able to stabilize the situation this region of Europe is suffering now. I am sure football is stronger than any other movement.
"This shows what football is - football is connecting people and this will be the same at the level of the World Cup." On the issue of presidency Blatter swept aside questions about his ability to do the job for another four years by stressing what he had achieved in the past 17.
President Blatter made it clear he was completely confident of victory and would not be pressurized into making decisions just to suit others' agendas.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.