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Australia's 2018 World Cup bid doomed, FIFA president Sepp Blatter suggests
By Sarah Widera
foxsports.com.au
January 26, 2010
Australia's bid to host the 2018 World Cup finals has been handed a hammer blow by FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who has indicated that European bids alone should be considered.
“"It's not been finally decided but it's the idea, also to make the work of FIFA easier and especially that of the executive committee."” – Sepp Blatter The FIFA president rationalises his 'European solution'.
Blatter told a media conference in Madrid that a plan to take the 2018 World Cup finals to Europe was being considered, despite Australia’s bid for the 2018 tournament.
Blatter said that he had talked over a European-only deal with UEFA president Michel Platini in Moscow in the previous few days.
"There is a movement at the moment among the various candidates that in the end it would be a good solution ... if the candidates for 2018 would only be those from Europe,'' Blatter said.
''It's not been finally decided but it's the idea, also to make the work of FIFA easier and especially that of the executive committee.''
Football Federation Australia spokesman Rod Allen said, however, that the governing body in Australia had not received official word from FIFA and would continue to push its bids for the 2018 and 2022 finals.
“We want either of them," Allen said exclusively to foxsports.com.au.
"We're not changing our focus at all.
"We haven't been notified and, as far as we're concerned, the rules haven't changed and we're proceeding with our bid process."
Russia and England have applied separately to stage the 2018 or 2022 World Cup finals, while Spain and Portugal and the Netherlands and Belgium have made joint bids for either or both.
Apart from Australia, countries outside Europe bidding for hosting rights are Japan and United States.
South Korea, Indonesia and Qatar have all applied to host only the 2022 version.
The news of Blatter's statement reached Australia as the nation's passion for the world game was on display on Sydney Harbour, where a "2018-2022 Football Ferry" contested the traditional ferry race as part of Sydney Festival’s annual Australia Day celebrations.
FFA chief executive Ben Buckley said the ferry race presented a great opportunity to showcase both Australia's bid and the beauty of Australia.
"An iconic Sydney Harbour ferry decked out in Come Play! livery and full of football supporters racing around one of the most beautiful harbours in the world is a great advertisement for the bid and the country," Buckley said.
Australia’s fate will be decided when FIFA selects the 2018 and 2022 World Cup hosts in Zurich in December.
- with AAP
looks like australia chance will be 2022 as i expected
By Sarah Widera
foxsports.com.au
January 26, 2010
Australia's bid to host the 2018 World Cup finals has been handed a hammer blow by FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who has indicated that European bids alone should be considered.
“"It's not been finally decided but it's the idea, also to make the work of FIFA easier and especially that of the executive committee."” – Sepp Blatter The FIFA president rationalises his 'European solution'.
Blatter told a media conference in Madrid that a plan to take the 2018 World Cup finals to Europe was being considered, despite Australia’s bid for the 2018 tournament.
Blatter said that he had talked over a European-only deal with UEFA president Michel Platini in Moscow in the previous few days.
"There is a movement at the moment among the various candidates that in the end it would be a good solution ... if the candidates for 2018 would only be those from Europe,'' Blatter said.
''It's not been finally decided but it's the idea, also to make the work of FIFA easier and especially that of the executive committee.''
Football Federation Australia spokesman Rod Allen said, however, that the governing body in Australia had not received official word from FIFA and would continue to push its bids for the 2018 and 2022 finals.
“We want either of them," Allen said exclusively to foxsports.com.au.
"We're not changing our focus at all.
"We haven't been notified and, as far as we're concerned, the rules haven't changed and we're proceeding with our bid process."
Russia and England have applied separately to stage the 2018 or 2022 World Cup finals, while Spain and Portugal and the Netherlands and Belgium have made joint bids for either or both.
Apart from Australia, countries outside Europe bidding for hosting rights are Japan and United States.
South Korea, Indonesia and Qatar have all applied to host only the 2022 version.
The news of Blatter's statement reached Australia as the nation's passion for the world game was on display on Sydney Harbour, where a "2018-2022 Football Ferry" contested the traditional ferry race as part of Sydney Festival’s annual Australia Day celebrations.
FFA chief executive Ben Buckley said the ferry race presented a great opportunity to showcase both Australia's bid and the beauty of Australia.
"An iconic Sydney Harbour ferry decked out in Come Play! livery and full of football supporters racing around one of the most beautiful harbours in the world is a great advertisement for the bid and the country," Buckley said.
Australia’s fate will be decided when FIFA selects the 2018 and 2022 World Cup hosts in Zurich in December.
- with AAP
looks like australia chance will be 2022 as i expected