NYON — UEFA supports playing the 2022 World Cup final on Dec. 23 to help protect international qualifying matches in its own competitions. Earlier yesterday, FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke revealed UEFA made the final date proposal which has angered British football officials, who feel it threatens their traditional Christmas holiday program. UEFA confirmed its preference for Friday, Dec. 23, because a final several days earlier in Qatar “would have more impact on European qualifiers.” FIFA’s move toward a November-December 2022 tournament to avoid Qatar’s summer heat will force top-level European football to stop in early or mid-November. That cuts UEFA’s options for the first half of the season. It needs to schedule three doubleheader weeks for national team matches, plus six midweeks for Champions League group matches. Last year, UEFA launched the Nations League to replace most friendlies in even-numbered years. Group matches are planned from September to November, including likely in 2022. The standings will decide which teams advance more than a year later to qualifying playoffs for major tournaments. UEFA showed its commitment to the new competition by taking central control of its commercial rights. Still, UEFA’s suggestion has upset the English Premier League, whose chief executive…