DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Qatari organizers of the 2022 World Cup have denied claims by an engineer of its air-conditioned stadiums that FIFA could split matches into three 30-minute periods to help players cope with the heat.
Qatar officials say the idea has not been discussed.
The statement by Michael Beavon, a director of Arup Associates, at a conference in London on Wednesday was “without any foundation,” World Cup organizers say.
Arup’s representatives “are not spokespeople for Qatar 2022,” the statement says.
FIFA also has dismissed Beavon’s claim that it had a “forward-thinking” backup plan to divide matches into thirds, giving players more time to rehydrate if stadium temperatures rose above 84 degrees.
