Fifa approves task force
2005-09-12 15:09
Marrakech, Morocco - Fifa overwhelmingly approved the creation of a task force on Monday to tackle match-fixing, doping, racism and other "menaces" threatening world soccer.
The Fifa Congress voted 198-1 in favour of the task force, which will be named "For the Good of the Game."
The panel will also deal with issues such as the decreasing number of homegrown players, political interference, autonomous leagues and multi-ownership of clubs.
"These are menaces which justify a working group," Fifa president Sepp Blatter said.
Blatter said the spending power of elite clubs in Europe has increased the gulf between rich and poor.
"The rich use everything on the market," Blatter said. "This promotes an exodus of African players."
He urged governments to put pressure on national soccer federations to help develop local talent.
"The forming of young players has been abandoned," Blatter said. "Governments should help football by organising national federations. We need to resolve this problem through dialogue."
Blatter also repeated his opposition to using television replays to resolve offside decisions or rule whether the ball has crossed the goal line.
"Let's make sure football retains a human face," he said.
Blatter also said Fifa is committed to the fight against doping. The World Anti-Doping Agency has urged Fifa to accept two-year bans for serious offences, but Blatter has resisted on grounds that each case should be treated individually.
"We are leaders in sports medicine research. We were front-runners in the fight against doping," Blatter said. "We are fighting against doping. But we are accused (by Wada) with every name."
- SAPA