FFA to claim if Cup date shifted

FOOTBALL Federation Australia may seek up to $43 million in compensation for its failed bid for the 2022 World Cup.

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FOOTBALL Federation Australia will seek up to $43 million in compensation for its failed bid for the 2022 World Cup should football's international governing body push the event back to Qatar's winter.

Australia lost out to Qatar when, in December 2010, the Arab state was controversially named as the host for the month-long tournament, which was always slated to be played during the European summer to avoid clashing with lucrative club competitions across the globe, including Australia's A-League.

But with the Qatar tournament beset by problems -- not least its summer temperatures, which go well over 40C -- FIFA is considering shifting the event to the northern winter when the governing body's executive committee meets on October 3.

Australia's $43m bid was predicated on the World Cup being held during the European summer, and yesterday FFA chairman Frank Lowy revealed that he had asked FIFA to make an in-principle decision that "just and fair compensation should be paid to those nations that invested many millions, and national prestige, in bidding for a summer event if the tournament is shifted to Qatar's winter".

FFA has also suggested that, should the tournament be pushed back to Qatar's winter, "a transparent process should be established to examine the scheduling implications for all leagues and a method developed for agreeing appropriate compensation for those affected".

The 2022 event has been plagued by problems ever since Qatar was announced as the host. As well as concerns over the heat, there have been major infrastructure issues and allegations of corruption in the voting process. Australia's bid received only one of a possible 88 votes from FIFA members.

Despite Qatar's troubles, FFA spokesman Dave Mason said Australia was not looking to offer to host the World Cup in 2022 should the Arab state be deemed to be unfit to hold it. "That issue is not on the table," he said last night. "We're just making it public that we're seeking compensation from FIFA if the event is moved to Qatar's winter."

Mr Mason would not put a figure on the amount being sought by FFA.

Mr Lowy said yesterday he had initially conveyed Australia's request for compensation in a letter to FIFA president Sepp Blatter in July. "Australia invested heavily in the World Cup process and the entire nation was behind the bid," Mr Lowy said.

"Since December 2010, Australia has been careful not to let its misgivings about the process be interpreted as sour grapes.

"But now, with increasing speculation about a change that will impact on us as one of the bidding nations, and because our competition will be affected, we have made our position public."

Mr Lowy said he explained to FIFA that the A-League had finally established itself as a popular, high-quality sporting competition in Australia.

He said that if the World Cup were held at the same time, the A-League would suffer not only in 2022 but in the seasons before and after. "Clubs, investors, broadcasters, players and fans would all be affected," he said.

"FIFA has an opportunity now to make the best of a bad situation by embarking on a transparent and orderly approach, unlike the process that led to the original flawed decision."