(CNN) -- There are signs of a rift within the elite of world football over the timing of the 2022 World Cup after Sepp Blatter, the head of world football's governing body FIFA, said that it would be unfair for the finals in Qatar to be played in the heat of the region's summer season.
"If you ask me the percentage to play in their winter, it is definitely over 50%. It means this is more than just a probability to play in winter time," Blatter said in an exclusive interview with CNN's Pedro Pinto.
"It is for many reasons. For the spectacle of the tournament, for the football and also to protect the players and also the spectators".
Blatter's statement was in direct contrast to the opinion of Mohamed Bin Hammam -- the Doha-born FIFA Executive Committee member and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) chief who has been touted as an eventual replacement for Blatter.
Hammam told British broadcaster Sky News on Thursday that he disagreed with calls to move the tournament to a different time of year. CNN
