JAPAN: FIFA PRESIDENT SEPP BLATTER SAYS OCEANIA SHOULD HAVE AN AUTOMATIC ENTRY SLOT INTO THE WORLD CUP
Record ID:
442981
JAPAN: FIFA PRESIDENT SEPP BLATTER SAYS OCEANIA SHOULD HAVE AN AUTOMATIC ENTRY SLOT INTO THE WORLD CUP
- Title: JAPAN: FIFA PRESIDENT SEPP BLATTER SAYS OCEANIA SHOULD HAVE AN AUTOMATIC ENTRY SLOT INTO THE WORLD CUP
- Date: 27th February 2002
- Summary: TOKYO, JAPAN (FEBRUARY 27, 2002) (REUTERS) 1. BANNER: 'FIFA WORKSHOP FOR THE 32 FINALIST TEAMS' 2. PARTICIPANTS 3. FIFA PRESIDENT SEPP BLATTER 4. PARTICIPANTS 5. BLATTER AT NEWS CONFERENCE AT NATIONAL PRESS CENTRE 6. JOURNALISTS TAKING NOTES 7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FIFA PRESIDENT SEPP BLATTER SAYING: "Already one of the confederations asked for this additional or this free slot. Oceania has no entry. This is not correct. Oceania is a fully recognised confederation and should also have an entry to the World Cup. And I will work on this item. But furthermore, for Asia and Africa, they want to get one slot more. They have to work on the field play, but they also have to work in the sports political scenario and try to find enough arguments to make sure that when the 31 remaining teams will be distributed for the 2006 World Cup then the arguments, I'm speaking of Asia now, the arguments shall be strong in order they can legitimately ask for one slot more" 8. JOURNALISTS TAKING NOTES 9. BLATTER AT NEWS CONFERENCE Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 14th March 2002 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: TOKYO, JAPAN
- Country: Japan
- Reuters ID: LVADI2UXZ27Z0KQA0Q49AVH7MEUN
- Story Text: FIFA President Sepp Blatter has said that Oceania
should have entry into the World Cup and Asian countries must
prove they deserve an extra place in the future by doing well
at this summer's finals.
Blatter told a news conference in Tokyo on Wednesday
(February 27) that he was working on getting an automatic
World Cup entry slot for Oceania, which is dominated by
Australia, who have not qualified for the finals since 1974.
In addition to this year's co-hosts South Korea and Japan,
Asia will be represented in 2002 by Saudi Arabia and China at
the finals. Iran lost out to Ireland in a two-leg playoff last
November.
Blatter indicated that Oceania could be awarded the extra
spot available, after FIFA announced that the 2002 champions
would have to qualify for 2006 World Cup.
"Oceania has no (automatic) entry into the World Cup. It
should have entry and I will work on it," said Blatter.
"If Asia or Africa want another place they will have to
work on the field of play and on the political side to find a
strong argument for asking for an extra slot."
Asia had four teams at the 1998 World Cup in France after
Iran qualified at the expense of Australia following a two-leg
playoff.
Australia also lost out 3-1 on aggregate to Uruguay last
November and went out in playoffs against Scotland in 1986 and
in 1994 at the hands of Diego Maradona's Argentina.
Africa will be represented by Cameroon, Nigeria, South
Africa, Tunisia and Senegal this summer.
European teams take up 15 of the 32 places at the 2002
World Cup, with five from South America and three more from
the CONCACAF federation.
While Blatter stressed the need for fairness, however, he
insisted that FIFA did not want to see the quality of the
World Cup diluted for the sake of political correctness.
"For Asia and Africa," he said, "they want to get one slot
more. They have to work on the field play, but they also have
to work in the sports political scenario and try to find
enough arguments to make sure that when the 31 remaining teams
will be distributed for the 2006 World Cup then the arguments,
I'm speaking of Asia now, the arguments shall be strong
in order they can legitimately ask for one slot more."
Asked about the current state of World Cup preparations in
South Korea and Japan, Blatter called the organisation
"perfect" and backed both countries to guarantee the safety of
players, officials and fans.
Blatter, who will be seeking a second four-year term as
FIFA president in May, said that co-hosting could return at
the 2010 World Cup, already promised to Africa.
Blatter also said he would take steps to clamp down on the
private auctioning of World Cup tickets over the Internet.
- Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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