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FIFA crumble under South American preasure
In a sad day for Oceania and World Soccer, In a media conference just prior to the final of the Confederations Cup (France 1 dft Cameroon 0 a.e.t), FIFA president Sepp Blatter announced that Oceania will not be given a direct qualification to Germany 2006. Instead the half a place will be returned to South America's CONMEBOL confederation after they preassured FIFA into either allowing a 36 team competition or to give them back their half a place.
After a unanimous vote to allow direct qualification for the OFC back in December gave the Oceania region it's much deserved place, FIFA's board members voted 22-1 to overturn the decision on Saturday night in Paris.
Some of the resons given were Soccer Australia's poor financial situation and unstability of the association in general and the poor performance of New Zealand at the Confederations Cup. Frank Farina says these are weak excuses to try and cover up the fact they were easily bullied into the position by CONMEBOL.
Soccer Australia and New Zealand Soccer will be the driving force behind Oceania's main push to have the place reinstated by FIFA. Both Soccer Australia, New Zealand Soccer and the OFC stand to lose many sponsorships and money from teh latest decision, something that was infact helping the financial situation of the OFC which FIFA used as an excuse to cut it to a playoff place.
Personally I think FIFA's decision is a load of crap. South America currently has ten nations competing and now upto half of those may make the worlds greatest footballing event. Oceania currently has 12 nations and none are guaranteed a position through an inconfederation qualifying tornament. The best nation must compete in an inter-confederation playoff. One would assume Australia's performance against England in February would show to the world they are infact of a world cup quality.
Additionally the USA came away from the Confederations Cup in last place in group B yet FIFA don't take half a place from the CONCACAF region. Why not? Because when one of the big two regions complain (CONMEBOL and UEFA) FIFA listen and act like a lapdog, attending to their every desire. It's disgraceful what FIFA have done and if this is how they are trying to promote the game in regions where soccer isn't the dominant sport then I'll be stuffed how it's going to work.
FIFA continues to treat the OFC like the runt of the litter and for that they should be ashamed.
1 July, 2003 |
