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'Asians cost South Africa the World Cup'

Paul Martin in Zurich

WORLD EXCLUSIVE!

In an exclusive interview to Sport Africa Broadcasting, Live Africa Network News and rediff.com, Federation of International Football Associations president Sepp Blatter slammed Asian delegates for denying South Africa the opportunity to stage the 2006 World Cup.

The four Asian delegates voted for Germany, giving the European nation a 12-11 win over South Africa in the final round to decide on the venue for the 2006 World Cup, on July 6 in Zurich. Europe will stage the event for the tenth time, while Asia is due to hold it for the first time in 2002. Africa has never staged the event.

Blatter launched a stinging attack on Asia, which had four representatives, all of whom voted for Germany in the last round. He pointed out that while bidding for the 2002 World Cup, Asia had argued that football's premier event needed to be staged by a new continent, first Asia then Africa. The 2002 edition is to be staged jointly by Japan and South Korea.

"I don't know what made them change their minds," he said. "I cannot understand why Asia has not had the same feelings about Africa, to say we have the 2002 World Cup so let our brothers in another continent have this one."

It is known that Blatter had a last-minute meeting with the four Asian representatives just before the vote.

Blatter criticised Asia for not acknowledging the growing soccer links between Africa and Asia. "They work together with Africa, they have combined programmes, they play the Afro-Asian Cups in national and club teams."

The only thing that had been preventing an African state hosting the World Cup had been the technical quality of the bid. "But as South Africa and Germany were the top two in that category, there was no doubt for me."

Coming close to accusing FIFA executive members of being influenced by Germany's economic and political muscle, Blatter said, "I thought our members would not only think about economic and political power, but a little bit about what they preach -- which is about solidarity. It is easy to preach, but not so easy to practice."

One of the Asian delegates, Mohamed Ibn Hamam of the oil-rich Gulf Arab state of Qatar, told Sport Africa Broadcasting and rediff.com that his ruler had ordered him to vote for Germany. That happened, according to another Asian delegate, after a German team visited Qatar. An audience with the ruling sheikh formed part of the visit.

Saudi representative Al Dabal was also taking instructions from Riyadh, the Saudi Arabian capital, the night before the vote, Blatter said.

"I don't feel comfortable or happy with this alleged political influence," Blatter remarked. "We do not interfere in politics and governments should not interfere in football."

South Korea and Thailand's representatives also decided to vote for Germany.

Blatter said he did not think that political pressures affected New Zealander Charles Dempsey's decision to abstain and, in effect, rule out a possible South African victory.

He said it is not FIFA's job to investigate why Dempsey and his daughter complained of having been under pressure from the European Football Federation. "I told him: Don't let anyone put you under pressure, vote with your brains," Blatter said.

Blatter revealed how he brought Dempsey to his office the day before the meeting and offered to fly his daughter, who is secretary-general of the Oceania Football Confederation, out to join him at the bidding venue. However, Dempsey declined any such offer by FIFA.

Africa's chances were doomed, he felt, even before he opened the meeting on July 6. "I had a feeling as I walked in to the building: Today is not Africa's day. My feeling was right," Blatter said.

Paul Martin is editor-in-chief of Sport Africa Broadcasting and of Live Africa Network News. He contributes regularly to rediff.com from South Africa.