Blatter: Regional rotation no longer crucial for World Cup
By NANCY ARMOUR, AP National Writer
June 24, 2007
CHICAGO (AP) -- The World Cup's growth in popularity could cost the United States.
FIFA's executive committee still hasn't decided if it will stay with regional rotation of World Cup sites past 2014. The North and Central American and Caribbean region is due to get the World Cup in 2018 under the current system, and the United States plans to bid.
But the World Cup has become such a big event worldwide -- in fan interest, television ratings and ticket sales -- that it no longer matters where it's played, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said Sunday.
"Now the executive committee is confronted with the question, What will happen next?" Blatter said, speaking before the Gold Cup final. "If we go on with the rotation as it is, then the next one should go to the CONCACAF. On the other hand, you have people asking that every third time, the World Cup should come back to Europe. Why?
"We have realized it's not important where the World Cup is played concerning the impact of the World Cup," he said. "The product nowadays, for emotion, for passion, for bringing people together is such ... that it is not so important where you play."
The World Cup will be played in South Africa in 2010. Brazil is the sole candidate to host in 2014, and FIFA's executive committee is scheduled to vote in November.
Blatter also said that while South Africa needs to improve its transportation system, he is confident the country can put on a successful World Cup. He toured stadium sites and met with officials from the government and local organizing committee during a visit there last week.
Security won't be an issue, either, Blatter promised.
"In all big cities, there is a problem of security and there is a lot of crime. But when you know where the danger is, you can take the adequate measures," he said. There is unity now in this country behind this competition. Let's trust South Africa and the African continent they will be able to receive all the visitors with open arms and open hearts."
Blatter also defended FIFA's ban on high-altitude games, which has caused a furor in several South American countries. FIFA last month banned international tournaments and World Cup qualifying matches at any stadium above 8,200 feet. That rules out games in the capitals of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and the stadiums of leading teams in Peru, Chile and Mexico.
The problem isn't the altitude, but the lack of time players have to adjust to it, Blatter said. The South America region continues to play its World Cup qualifiers on back-to-back days, playing games Saturday and Sunday, and Tuesday and Wednesday.
"There is no possibility for acclimatization," Blatter said. "If you don't have time for this acclimatization, then your health can suffer.
"We have never said you can't play," he added. "This is only for the qualifications for the World Cup. Club competitions, national competitions, they can play wherever they want to play."
CONCACAF president Jack Warner acknowledged there have been some problems with refereeing at the Gold Cup, but said none were deliberate. He also refused to single out any referees who had problems.
The United States advanced to Sunday's final after the Canadians had a goal waved off in the final minute of stoppage time on a disputed offsides call.
"Referees are human beings like anyone else. They can make mistakes at any level and I admit some mistakes have been made," Warner said. "But at no point and time has it been fixed for any country. It would be an absurd thing to do."
Updated on Sunday, Jun 24, 2007 3:48 pm EDT
JACKASS WARNER SAYS THE REFEREES ARE HUMAN. WOULD HE GO TO A DOCTOR HOW MAKE THREE MISDIAGNOSES EVERY WEEK?
