UEFA president Michel Platini happy to move 2022 Champions League to accommodate World Cup

Michel Platini has revealed that UEFA would be prepared to move the Champions League semi-finals and final to June in 2022 in order to accommodate a winter World Cup in Qatar.

UEFA president Platini insists doing so would not be a major problem and said a solution to deciding the dates of the tournament was now "not so far (away)".

A FIFA task force has identified November/December 2022 and January/February 2022 as the most likely options in order to avoid the oppressive heat of June and July, with a final decision expected in March.

Platini, speaking on his first visit to England's national football centre St George's Park, said: "As the president of the confederation I have no problem ... because it is not a problem for the competition of the Champions League, we can move the dates in 2022 and have two semi-finals and the final in June."

The Frenchman had previously stated the 2022 World Cup should be played in January rather than November, citing concerns that six international calendar dates would be affected in the latter month as well as the October and September of that year.

It is not a problem for the competition of the Champions League, we can move the dates in 2022 and have two semi-finals and the final in June.

But Platini now feels even that would not pose a major problem, adding: "Everybody speaks about the clubs and the leagues but if it is in November and December then you lose six dates of the national teams. But we are not so far away with FIFA. We are not so far from a good solution."

Playing in January 2022 would cause severe friction with the International Olympic Committee over the timing of its winter Olympics, with FIFA president Sepp Blatter guaranteeing it would not do so.

Asked about that issue, Platini said: "That is FIFA, they don't want to clash with the Olympic Committee but the rest of the world wants to find the best solution for the football."

Platini was also asked about Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers’ decision to make seven changes to the side that lost to Newcastle for the 1-0 Champions League defeat to Real Madrid on Tuesday night.

Champions League rules state clubs must field their strongest sides but UEFA is not considering any action against Liverpool.

Platini pointed out they only lost 1-0 in Spain compared to the apparently stronger line-up that was beaten 3-0 at Anfield opn October 22.

"First of all he has to explain to his fans why he put this team - not to me, not to you,” added Platini.

"Are you sure it was not the best team? How can I say that? The coach of Liverpool, if I say something, he'll say, 'Oh, Michel Platini, I put my best team of the moment'. And I would be stupid.

"If I am the coach of Liverpool I say, 'It's my best team. How you can prove it's not your best team?' I can't interfere with that.”