DUBAI (REUTERS) - Michel Platini's idea that Qatar share the 2022 football World Cup hosting rights with its Middle East neighbours is "crazy", UAE football chief Yousuf Al Serkal said on Thursday.

Uefa president Platini has long called for football's showpiece to be shared by the tiny Arab state and that the tournament should be moved to the end of the year to avoid the

soaring temperature in June and July.

The Frenchman, tipped to succeed Fifa head Sepp Blatter, reiterated his stance on Saturday. But Al Serkal, who is chasing the presidency of the Asian Football Confederation at its May elections, found the suggestion humorous.

"It is a crazy idea," Al Serkal said after breaking into a laugh. "First of all this cannot happen. The Fifa executive committee has already taken a decision and awarded the 2022 World Cup to the Qataris.

"We support Qatar to host the World Cup independently and we are not interested in any sharing."