Sepp Blatter 'rules out December 23 World Cup final'

Earlier this week a FIFA task force claimed that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar "must" start in November, suggesting a shorter tournament that, according to some suggestions, would see the final played on December 23.

The proposal drew widespread criticism from European leagues because of the havoc it would cause domestically, but due to certain "constraints", a November/December World Cup was deemed the best option.

However, Blatter said when he arrived in Northern Ireland for this weekend's International Football Association Board meeting that he would propose that idea to the FIFA executive committee when it meets next month.

"The World Cup will not go on until the 23rd, definitely not, we have to stop at the 18th," Blatter told reporters. "I am against going to the 23rd."