German FA boss expects 'sleepless nights'

Berlin - German Football Association (DFB) president Wolfgang Niersbach expects "a few sleepless nights" as Europe's top leagues struggle to accomodate the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

A FIFA taskforce has recommended the 2022 tournament be played in November and December due to extreme summer temperatures in the region.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has said the final will be no later than December 18.

World champions Germany have largely been dismissive of the proposal amidst calls for compensation to those leagues which will be affected, including the Bundesliga.

And Niersbach told Sky Sports that trying to reschedule Germany's tournaments will "keep us all busy for some time and will cause a few sleepless nights.

"The whole thing is a complicated subject, which has been a source of irritation for some time now.

"Since the World Cup was awarded in 2010, we have been beating ourselves up with the question, how could the vote be for Qatar?

"With all due respect to the country, it is too small for a World Cup.

"However, the Qatars rightly say that there has been no wrong-doing.

"Now it seems the only alternative is to play in winter and now the whole world has to judge for themselves."

The final dates for the 2022 World Cup must still be ratified by FIFA's Executive Committee on March 19/20.