Tunisia pulls out of 2010 bid

2004-05-14 16:55

Zurich - Just one day before voting, Tunisia dropped out of Africa's race to stage the 2010 World Cup on Friday, leaving South Africa, Morocco, Egypt and Libya to fight over soccer's most lucrative prize.

The Tunisians wanted to co-host the event but had been told by Fifa it was out of the question. After four years of campaining, they pulled out minutes before they were due to make their final bid to Fifa's executive committee.

"We have taken stock of the decision by the honourable executive committee which once more confirmed that the World Cup will be organised by a single federation and therefore the idea of co-hosting this competition cannot be taken into account," Tunisian Football Association president Hamouda Ben Ammar told the executive committee.

"For this reason our candidature has no more reason to be."

Fifa president Sepp Blatter, who had expected Tunisia's withdrawal, acknowledged Ben Ammar's withdrawal.

"This is fair play year, and what the Tunisian federation has said and done through the decision you have taken, from start hoping to co-host, which once again was not forseen by Fifa statutes nor the conditions of hosting of the World Cup. We would like to thank you for interest in the World Cup."

Already a three-time loser but making ground on long time favourite South Africa, Morocco was the first of the five nations to make a final plea to Fifa's executive committee at the World Trade Centre in Zurich and sought to deflect any worries the members may have on security.

FIFA's 25-strong executive will vote on Saturday to decide who hosts the first World Cup to be staged on African soil.

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- SAPA