German football legend Franz Beckenbauer says he was astonished Australia were eliminated from the first round of voting to host the 2022 World Cup.
Australia’s bid received just one vote from FIFA’s 22-man executive committee, with many believing Beckenbauer was the sole supporter.
And although he refused to say who he voted for in Zurich, that theory was enhanced on Saturday with Beckenbauer admitting he was lost for words by Qatar getting the nod.
“What astonishes me is that Australia was eliminated in the first round of voting, just like England (for 2018), but I am sure Russia will be an excellent host in 2018),” Beckenbauer told Bild newspaper.
He also suggested that the 2022 event be held in January to avoid the searing summer heat in the Gulf country, believing it would be wrong to stage the event in the traditional close-season period of June/July.
“We need to consider this solution of January and February when in Qatar the temperatures are around a pleasant 25 degrees,” he said.
“Why would that not be acceptable? The schedules for the big European leagues are due to be changed in 2012 and that would mean the impact would be less.
“Also it would be a viable alternative to the huge expenses involved in setting up air-conditioning for the stadiums and the fan zones.”
Beckenbauer intends to step down from FIFA’s executive committee in March for family reasons.
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