No Compensation Over Qatar World Cup

There will be no compensation for European clubs over the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, FIFA has confirmed.

UEFA has also confirmed to Sky Sports News HQ that it has suggested the final should be played on 23 December - the preferred date of most of the confederations according to FIFA - with the tournament getting under way on 26 November.

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the chairman of the European Clubs' Association, said the leading European clubs would demand compensation from FIFA if the 2022 World Cup was played in November and December, as has been recommended by the FIFA task force.

The former Germany international claimed such a move would cause "great damage" to domestic football due to the rescheduling of match calendars.

He said: "European clubs and leagues cannot be expected to bear the costs for such rescheduling. We expect the clubs to be compensated for the damage that a final decision would cause."

But FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke insisted that leading European clubs, including the top Premier League teams, would not receive any financial compensation.

He said: "There will be no compensation. There are seven years to reorganise. We are in agreement with the clubs."

Valcke also called on European clubs to accept the scheduling switch - which is expected to be confirmed at FIFA's executive committee meeting in Zurich on 19/20 March - even though "it's not perfect".

"It is happening once and we are doing nothing that destroys football," he said.

"Why should we apologise to the clubs? We have had an agreement with the clubs that they are part of the beneficiaries. It was $40m in 2010 and $70m in 2014.

"We are bringing all our people to enjoy the sporting and financial results of the World Cup.

"I definitely don't feel I have to apologise for the decision to confirm that the World Cup will not be played in the summer."

Valcke also confirmed the 2022 World Cup would be four days shorter as a "concession" to the leagues and clubs - 28 days instead of the usual 32 - and the Africa Cup of Nations in 2023 would be moved to June from January.

The final looks likely to take place on 18 December as it is Qatar's national day and also falls on a Sunday. The other option of 23 December is preferred by the confederations despite opposition from the Premier League and Football Association due to the disruption it would cause to the festive programme in England.

Valcke said: "Most confederations say they want the World Cup to end on 23 December."