Both Almaty - whose bid will be expected here by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Evaluation Commission from tomorrow - and its only surviving 2022 rival Beijing, have pledged to host the Games from February 4 to 20. 

Football's showpiece event, meanwhile, is expected to be held in either November and December or January and February in order to avoiding searing summer temperatures in the Gulf nation.

A final decision is expected on March 20 at a FIFA Executive Committee meeting.

Although the November and December date is now thought more likely, with FIFA and its IOC member President Sepp Blatter having repeatedly insisted there will be no clash between the two events, Blatter's fellow-countryman Kasper has expressed broader concerns about the impact on the winter sporting calendar.

Winter sport World Cup events may still clash with a FIFA World Cup in November and December even if the Winter Olympics does not ©Getty Images



"FIFA has never listened to anyone, football just happens to be that strong," Kasper, who is also head of the Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations,  told Deutsche Presse-Agentur during the FIS World Ski Championships in Beaver Creek.

"They care about nothing and nobody else, if the World Cup takes place in November or December, it would be difficult but we could - just about - live with it.

"I wrote on behalf of all Winter Sports Federations to Mr Blatter as soon as the Qatar issue arose.

"Quite strongly, I must admit.

"The reaction was practically zero, FIFA think they are gods and act accordingly.

"Winter sport doesn't exist for his group, his Board."

The question of rescheduling the World Cup has been a major challenge for FIFA in recent years, with some having also speculated that a 2022 Olympic contender could consider pushing their bid back to March in order to avoid a clash, although this will not now happen.

Kasper has repeatedly criticised FIFA for risking the negative impact of a clash, which could potentially lead to a loss of both commercial and public interest in the winter sporting events due to the distraction posed by the football extravaganza.

The official who, like Blatter with FIFA, has led the FIS since 1998, also appeared to question the 79-year-old's ability to continue in his role, with Blatter heavy favourite to be re-elected for a fifth term at the helm later this year. 

"Let's put it this way: I would not stand again at that age," he told Deutsche Presse-Agentur.

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