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Blatter raises fresh doubts about 2022 World Cup

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Sepp Blatter: Concerns about summer heat.

Sepp Blatter: Concerns about summer heat.

LONDON (AP) -- FIFA President Sepp Blatter has raised fresh doubts about the safety of playing the 2022 World Cup in Qatar during summer.

There have been growing calls to move the tournament to the winter to avoid the sweltering desert heat that is expected to exceed 104 degrees in June and July.

Blatter says players and fans will be fine in the air-conditioned stadiums. But he adds that the World Cup is also an event outside the stadiums, "so it is a question mark."

In an interview with Sky Sports News, Blatter addressed other matters. He reiterated his belief in deducting points from teams in cases of racial abuse, and he confirmed that in 2015 he'll be leaving his job as head of soccer's governing body.