Basically, FIFA is trying to hold the world's biggest sporting event in a 16th Century feudalistic kingdom...oh, and it's hotter than Hell and the clubs that pay the players get to sacrifice at least a half-season of revenue.
It's easy for me to say because I don't have the choice, but I wouldn't participate in the 2022 WC if I was a player. Disgusting project all around.
It's heading for a conflict between the clubs and Uefa firstly, and then between Uefa and Fifa possibly after that.
Just look at the money the Sky and BT have paid for the next 3 years, what will that figure be come 2022 ?
We could be talking about a 3 year contract for tens of billions.
Holding the WC in Nov/Dec will affect the EPL football calendar for at least 2 seasons, possibly 3 seasons.
Sky and BT are not going to be paying top dollar for those seasons.
Our Christmas calendar is probably the most treasured part of the season. Sky have used the festive period to pull in advertisers paying big bucks for air time, same with BT.
Imagine the scenario where the BBC/ITV get WC coverage for 6 weeks before Christmas, and Sky and BT have -at best- a normal Christmas calendar, missing umpteen players who have jetted off to Qatar.
Were talking about losing billions of £, subscribers will leaving, advertisers will pay less, SKY and BT will reduce the amount they pump into the EPL.
Now imagine the other scenario where the European clubs see the potential revenue for TV rights dwindle, and decide to do something about it. It wouldn't have to be anything major, they could just pull players out with injury, like they constantly do in friendlies and far flung games of little importance.
You don't have to be a mathematician to see the conflict ahead.
Scudamore knows this.