While it was long anticipated that the task force would recommend a November-December tournament - the specific dates still have to be ratified by FIFA's executive committee (ExCo) next month - official confirmation of the general plan is already causing shock and anger.

Premier League chief Richard Scudamore, part of the task force, expressed his anger and disappointment at the decision. 

'Yeah, very disappointed that`s the word, I think, on behalf of the all the European leagues and particularly the European clubs who provide most of the players for this World Cup,' he said after the meeting in Doha on Tuesday. 

'The idea that we turned up (on Monday), it was a pretty short meeting, to be told that it is going to happen in November and December is very disappointing.

'We had a consistent position all along and for the integrity of the Football League to have to stop for six or seven weeks is less than ideal.' 

Scudamore claimed others were able to protect their competitions, while Europe's leagues had to give up space in their calendar and nobody else is 'giving much up'.

He said: 'FIFA keep their international dates, they keep their World Cup intact, even UEFA, who, I think, let us down a little bit, clearly pushed this ... so their Champions League can start and carry on again, just like it always does.'

Scudamore also claimed that there was little discussion during the meeting. 'We were pretty much told, hence the disappointment,' he added.

In a statement released by the Premier League on Tuesday afternoon, Scudamore added: 'We are extremely disappointed with the FIFA Task Force recommendation to move the 2022 FIFA World Cup to a November and December schedule.

'It is clear that the views of the European leagues, along with the numerous other competitions globally that will be negatively affected, have not been given serious consideration throughout this process.

'The prevailing view from the leagues has been that displacing the 2022 World Cup significantly from the original summer dates disproportionately impacts the sporting integrity of our competitions.

'Our particular concern is that a FIFA World Cup that finishes late in December could result in damaging one of the English game’s great traditions and attractions, with the removal of the entire Premier League, Football League and FA Cup Christmas and New Year fixture programme that season.

'Clearly there is still time within the process to consider our position further, but first we will consult with our clubs, other stakeholders in English football, and other leagues before deciding on what, if any, further action might be appropriate or worthwhile.' 

Karl-Heinz Rummenige, chief executive of Bayern Munich and chair of the European Club Association, has also suggested that top European clubs could demand compensation over the disruption to their seasons. 

He said: 'For the football family the rescheduling of the FIFA World Cup 2022 presents a difficult and challenging task. All match calendars across the world will have to accommodate such tournament in 2022/23, which requires everyone's willingness to compromise. However, the European clubs and leagues cannot be expected to bear the costs for such rescheduling. We expect the clubs to be compensated for the damage that a final decision would cause.'

Meanwhile, FA chairman Greg Dyke said a November/December tournament was 'the best of the bad options', but warned of the disruption it would cause to domestic football. 

'It will clearly disrupt the whole football calendar as it means club football stopping at the end of October,' he said. 

'You might be able to keep the disruption to one season if you start earlier and end later but it's going to be tough - and unnecessary because we would not be doing this if FIFA had done their work properly.'

(dailymail.co.uk)