Europe's top leagues have urged FIFA to avoid a "hasty decision" on rescheduling the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The European Professional Football Leagues says "such an important decision cannot be rushed with artificial deadlines."

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has said his executive committee should decide on Oct. 4 that the tournament cannot be played in Qatar's searing summer desert heat.

Blatter has promised to consult leagues, clubs, national federations and players' unions before deciding when FIFA's marquee event will be played.

A November-December tournament would shut down Europe's top leagues for several weeks.

The leagues group issued its statement Tuesday while the 200-member European Club Association was discussing the Qatari World Cup issue at its assembly.