Friday 27 February 2015 22:12, UK
Former Manchester United chief executive David Gill says Sepp Blatter's suggestion that the 2022 World Cup final should not be played later than December 18 is "a move in the right direction."
Speaking before an International Football Association Board meeting in Belfast on Friday, FIFA president Blatter said he was against the idea of the 2022 final in Qatar being played on December 23.
And Gill, who now sits on UEFA's executive committee, is pleased Blatter is against the idea of playing the biggest match in world football two days before Christmas.
"I'm encouraged by the fact president Blatter has come out and said it can't be on the 23rd and the 18th would be the latest it can be which I think is at least a move in the right direction," he told reporters.
The Premier League have been strong opponents of the planned winter World Cup in Qatar but Gill insists it is now time to accept it and move on.
"It's been decided, let's get on with it," he said.
"Some of the European leagues that have breaks in January have a bigger problem than the Premier League does.
"There will still be 380 games in the Premier League, 38 per club. We'll still have a great season in 2022-23.
"There will have to be compromise on all fronts. Maybe friendlies will have to be given up, FA Cup replays may be dropped, the League Cup semi-final might be one leg. Everyone has to give something up."
