Fifa makes 2010 Cup back-up plan

[Lazie]

Fifa makes 2010 Cup back-up plan

Blatter will appear on BBC One's new Inside Sport programme on Monday

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has admitted football's governing body has contingency plans in case South Africa cannot host the World Cup in 2010.
South Africa's preparations have been dogged by delays and there are fears its stadia will not be ready.
Blatter told BBC One's new Inside Sport programme: "Other countries are ready to organise the World Cup", although he implied they would not be needed.
Blatter cited a list of countries that could step in, including England.
606: DEBATE
Who should host the tournament if South Africa cannot?

The others he mentioned were the United States, Mexico, Japan and Spain.
"Definitely we have a possibility to go somewhere else if something happens," said Blatter.
South Africa is refurbishing or building 10 stadia for the World Cup


"It was the same case in Germany. Something can happen. A natural catastrophe or whatever, a big change in society - everybody against football.
"But then for the time being the plan B is South Africa and the plan C we definitely must have a possibility to go somewhere else, but it must be a natural catastrophe."
Last year, Blatter expressed misgivings about the lack of construction and renovation work on the 10 South African stadiums that are scheduled to host games in the World Cup.
And in December South African President Thabo Mbeki rejected claims that the tournament could be held elsewhere, insisting the 2010 World Cup would be an "exceptional event".
The Football Association said they had not been involved with any plans for the tournament to move to England.
"There have been no discussions with Fifa at this stage," a spokesman told BBC Sport.
"We do believe we have some of the finest stadia and football infrastructure in the world but it's hypothetical as we understand South Africa are on course to stage the 2010 World Cup."
Blatter reiterated his view that the 2018 World Cup should go to Asia rather than Europe - the English FA is considering making a bid for the event. "I think we should maintain this rotation - at least with four continents. To take North and South America as one continent, Europe, Africa and Asia," he said. "This would mean that the next World Cup after 2014 would go to Asia."

[HL]

Re: Fifa makes 2010 Cup back-up plan

I hope the plans for South Africa falls through...and games come to the united States!!!

[Lazie]

Re: Fifa makes 2010 Cup back-up plan

HL, you're going to be accused of not loving Africa. Well, I have the same hopes too.

[HL]

Re: Fifa makes 2010 Cup back-up plan

I make myself happy before I make others happy Lazie.

[Sir X]

Re: Fifa makes 2010 Cup back-up plan

H.L any commetns on shev and carvallio missing the crucial leg against pool , you think they would play through injury , knowing the magnitude of the game.

[Sir X]

Re: Fifa makes 2010 Cup back-up plan

Sheva walks out after Jose shuns him for Anfield clash
EXCLUSIVE By NEIL ASHTON and JOHN EDWARDS - More by this author »

Last updated at 00:40am on 1st May 2007

Comments

Andriy Shevchenko has thrown Chelsea’s Champions League preparations into chaos by crying off from Tuesday night’s semi-final clash with Liverpool having been left out of the starting line-up.

Shevchenko claimed he had an abductor muscle injury and told club officials he was unable to travel, hours before the team flew to Merseyside on Monday for the second leg at Anfield.

Scroll down to read more:


Shevchenko: Claimed to be sick after being left out of Anfield trip
More....

Shevchenko's million-pound 'Batcave' for fleet of luxury cars
Shevchenko targets dream Milan reunion
Rafa: Mourinho cost Chelsea title
Ronaldo is uneducated, sneers Mourinho
Kitson steals show as Michael's return is ruined by Reading
Jordan expects novel message of thanks from Birmingham's porn barons
Owen goes the distance at last

It is believed the Ukrainian was upset by a snub on Sunday from manager Jose Mourinho, who had called the squad in for training at their Surrey HQ but did not choose him in his practice line-up.

Shevchenko stood on the sidelines with arms folded as they worked on a 4-3-3 formation that included Didier Drogba and Joe Cole as part of a front three.

On Monday night, Chelsea threw a smokescreen over the affair by maintaining Shevchenko had not travelled because of a groin strain. But it is believed the player opted out in a fit of pique.

This is the latest in a series of bust-ups between Mourinho and the £31million striker who has had a torrid time at Chelsea since his transfer from AC Milan last summer.

Shevchenko’s attitude left senior players shocked and came as the war of words between the Chelsea manager and Rafa Benitez became more vicious, with the Liverpool boss accusing his rival of losing out in the Premiership title race by tinkering with his team.

Shevchenko’s decision to pull out ahead of the club’s biggest game this season appalled his team-mates.

Many believe Shevchenko, who has scored just 14 goals for Chelsea this season, will be forced to leave in the summer as a result of this latest confrontation.

Shevchenko performed poorly during the 1-0 first-leg win over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge last Wednesday and he was substituted after 45 minutes of the 2-2 draw with Bolton on Saturday.

The upshot of it all came on Sunday morning when the players were dragged into training to work through "team shape". Shevchenko was not included.

The players are also backing Mourinho in his dispute with Michael Ballack, with the manager demanding that the Germany midfielder be sacked after he travelled to Munich without the permission of the club’s medical staff for an operation on a troublesome ankle injury.

The player was labelled an "Untouchable" earlier in the season, but Mourinho has told his coaching staff that he wants him to be dismissed after he underwent surgery last Friday.

Despite the mounting problems for Mourinho, the team were given a timely boost last night when Arjen Robben declared himself fit.

But with his Liverpool side needing to overturn a one-goal deficit, Benitez tried to heap more pressure on Mourinho by arguing that the Champions League was the prize owner Roman Abramovich wanted most.

The rivals have been trading insults since the build-up to last week’s semi-final first leg and there was no sign of any letup as they prepared for the return at Anfield.

Referring to the way a weakened Chelsea line-up slipped five points behind Premiership leaders Manchester United with a 2-2 home draw against Bolton, Benitez laid the blame firmly on Mourinho’s selection policy and even suggested he was beginning to crack under the strain of competing for honours on four fronts.

Scroll down for more:


Off target: Shevchenko fires wide past Jamie Carragher in the first leg

Benitez said: "They’ve been talking about how many trophies they want to win but suddenly it is different.

"It’s going to be really difficult for them to win the Premiership now after what happened over the weekend. He [Mourinho] was playing for the league, but he rested some key players.

"It was his decision to leave them out and it cost them the title. I cannot analyse why he did it, but that was the outcome.

"What I do know is that the Champions League is their priority. Ask Mr Abramovich if he wants the Champions League more than any other trophy. I think we know the answer."

Benitez normally avoids any conflict with opposing managers but seems happy to make an exception with Mourinho.

Repeatedly, he taunted his Chelsea counterpart — from the way Ricardo Carvalho’s absence was being viewed as a major setback to the choice of a Spanish referee, Manuel Gonzalez.

"Being without Carvalho will not make much difference," he said. "When they came here for a Premiership game in January, they did not have the best defender in the world.

"That was John Terry. Now they are going to be without the best defender in the world. That is Carvalho.

"The referee is the same one as in the 2005 Champions League Final. He is a very good referee, very experienced.

"But if there are any objections, fine. We can have a Portuguese referee, no problem."

To be fair to Mourinho, tetchy though he was whenever challenged about Benitez, he happily went along with Gonzalez’s appointment.

"I’m not interested in what Benitez says," he snapped, midway through the first question about Liverpool.

"Gonzalez is a top referee and I would prefer a good Spanish official to a poor one from another country.

"People keep going on about the atmosphere at Anfield and it should help the home team. For us, it depends on the players’ character.

"For players with experience and quality, it should provide extra motivation.

"Certainly, I don’t see Claude Makelele not sleeping because of what might be in store."

The last word went to Benitez, who reiterated his belief that Mourinho had made a grave error in dismissing Liverpool as "only a good cup team".

"I don’t need to give a team talk now because he has done it for me," said Benitez.

"Maybe our supporters will be behind us even more after what he said. If you know the history of our club, you don’t need to say anything else