Australia back down, support SA

2006-12-01 11:51

Sydney - Football Federation Australia on Friday moved to distance itself from speculation about doubts over the hosting arrangements for the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa.

Danny Jordaan, the chief World Cup 2010 organiser, this week dismissed Australian suggestions that South Africa is not getting its act together to host football's showpiece.

"I don't know what is wrong with these people (the Australians)," Jordaan said.

"Mr Sepp Blatter (Fifa's chief executive) has said many times before that Plan A is to host the World Cup is South Africa, Plan B is South Africa, and Plan C is still South Africa."

FFA issued a statement on Friday to hose down speculation that it was actively seeking to step in and offer to host the 2010 World Cup should South Africa not be able to host the tournament.

"Fifa has awarded the 2010 tournament to South Africa and have consistently endorsed South Africa's appointment and state of preparations," FFA chairperson Frank Lowy said in the statement.

"FFA has no reason to expect that the 2010 Fifa World Cup will take place anywhere other than South Africa, and we are looking forward to having the opportunity to qualify to participate in South Africa when Asian qualifying matches start in 2008.

"We wish South Africa every success in preparing for, hosting and enjoying a lasting positive legacy from staging the world's largest sports event."

Lowy also affirmed Australia's interest in hosting Fifa and Asian Football Confederation events at appropriate times in the future.

"Australia has a wonderful track record of hosting major events and we believe that there are Fifa and AFC competitions that would be highly successful if held here," he said.

"We are continuing to look into the feasibility of hosting a future World Cup and potentially the AFC Asian Cup and other international Football events.

"In the meantime, we hope to see the Socceroos once again making all Australians proud in South Africa in 2010."

- AFP