OMEN
08-31-2006, 08:29 AM
New Zealand Soccer says it would jump at the chance to co-host the next World Cup with Australia but cannot see the 2010 tournament being moved from South Africa.
The Sydney Morning Herald today reported that there was persistent speculation that South Africa's preparations were "hopelessly behind schedule".
The Herald said a joint Australia-New Zealand bid, with Sydney as the venue for the final, could become viable if South Africa were stripped of hosting rights.
A spokesman for world body Fifa described the speculation as ridiculous.
He said president Sepp Blatter had made it clear when the issue arose during the World Cup in July that no alternative hosts were being considered.
NZ Soccer chief executive Graham Seatter said he believed that Fifa was committed to holding the event in South Africa.
"If the World Cup did come down to Australasia, we'd be delighted and we'd do whatever we could to make it successful," he said.
"But Fifa are really committed to South Africa and that's unlikely to change. They're committed to making it a success in South Africa."
Seatter understood that internal transport remained South Africa's greatest challenge as the country prepared for 2010.
He believed that if a back-up were needed, this year's hosts, Germany, would be more likely than Australia and New Zealand.
"If it is to be changed, the later it is the more likely it is to would go back to Germany," he said.
"You need a long timeframe to organise something like this."
NZPA
The Sydney Morning Herald today reported that there was persistent speculation that South Africa's preparations were "hopelessly behind schedule".
The Herald said a joint Australia-New Zealand bid, with Sydney as the venue for the final, could become viable if South Africa were stripped of hosting rights.
A spokesman for world body Fifa described the speculation as ridiculous.
He said president Sepp Blatter had made it clear when the issue arose during the World Cup in July that no alternative hosts were being considered.
NZ Soccer chief executive Graham Seatter said he believed that Fifa was committed to holding the event in South Africa.
"If the World Cup did come down to Australasia, we'd be delighted and we'd do whatever we could to make it successful," he said.
"But Fifa are really committed to South Africa and that's unlikely to change. They're committed to making it a success in South Africa."
Seatter understood that internal transport remained South Africa's greatest challenge as the country prepared for 2010.
He believed that if a back-up were needed, this year's hosts, Germany, would be more likely than Australia and New Zealand.
"If it is to be changed, the later it is the more likely it is to would go back to Germany," he said.
"You need a long timeframe to organise something like this."
NZPA