by Our Sports Desk

FA chairman Greg Dyke told MPs yesterday he is “certain” the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will not be held in the summer, insisting it is “too dangerous” due to the high temperatures.

Dyke gave evidence to the culture media and sSport (CMS) select committee yesterday regarding the bidding process for the 2022 tournament, which has been plagued by allegations of corruption and bribery.

Concerns have been raised about the playing conditions in Qatar, where summer temperatures can exceed 50ºC.

Dyke said: “I am certain it won’t happen in the summer.

“There is no chance it will be held in the summer of 2022 — the discussion is when else it will be held.”

Dyke continued: “If you’ve been to Qatar in the summer you can hardly walk in the streets.

“The health and safety people say it wasn’t safe and it certainly wouldn’t be safe.

“Air-conditioned stadiums are one thing but fans moving around on the streets, in and out of stadiums — it will be too dangerous to have it there in the summer.”

In June, Uefa president Michel Platini withdrew his support for Sepp Blatter’s re-election, insisting Fifa needed a “breath of fresh air.”

Dyke said the FA would focus on bidding for Uefa rather than Fifa tournaments in the future, but believes it would not be productive to withdraw England’s membership of the organisation.

“We’ve already taken the decision that we will not bid for Fifa tournaments — our decision is we will concentrate in the years ahead on bidding for Uefa tournaments,” Dyke said.

“I don’t think we should walk out of Fifa because within a week everyone has forgotten you.

“I don’t think that sort of gesture-politics would help. I think trying to reform through Uefa and from the inside is the better way forward.”

Dyke also called for widespread reform of Fifa but admits it is unlikely to occur while Blatter remains president.

“We think there’s a limited amount of time people should sit on the Fifa executive,” Dyke said.

“We voted in favour of that but most voted against it. It’s that sort of reform that is needed to make sure we get proper turnover.

“Hopefully a new president coming in would take a look at the whole structure.”