South Korea rejects World Cup criticism<\/p>\n
SEOUL (AFP): South Korean World Cup organizers said yesterday
\nthey were not taking seriously criticism made by FIFA general
\nsecretary Sepp Blatter of preparations for the 2002 finals.<\/p>\n
The first World Cup final to be held in Asia was jointly
\nawarded to South Korea and Japan after months of bitter rivalry
\nbetween the two. But Blatter warned this has not died down and
\nthat the International Football Federation (FIFA) may have to
\naward the event to another country.<\/p>\n
Japanese football officials would not comment, saying they
\nwere still waiting to see Blatter's interview with World Soccer
\nmagazine. They denied that FIFA had made any official complaint.<\/p>\n
But an official at the Office of Preparation for the 2002
\nWorld Cup in Seoul said South Korean organizers were taking
\nBlatter's comments as \"personal\" and \"not serious.\"<\/p>\n
Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said there was enough
\ntime for South Korea and Japan to resolve their differences.<\/p>\n
\"We believe such differences are not so serious and can be
\nsolved through negotiations.<\/p>\n
\"It was Blatter's personal opinion and not the FIFA's formal
\ndecision or warning which we have to heed,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The official said that disputes with Japan should not get
\nworse. But he warned that if they did, it would give the wrong
\nsignal and undermine preparations.<\/p>\n
Sensitive<\/p>\n
Disputes over the preparations have become so sensitive,
\nbecause of wrangling between South Korea and Japan before the
\nfinals were awarded this year, that FIFA has cautioned the two
\nnations about making statements in public.<\/p>\n
Blatter called on Japan and South Korea to forget their
\ndifferences and get down to working together for the 2002 World
\nCup.<\/p>\n
\"I must say that the countries are not only not coming closer,
\nit's quite the opposite. They are moving further apart. This is
\nnot the marriage we want, \" Blatter told World Soccer magazine.<\/p>\n
\"There is no point in looking back over all the maneuvering,
\neven the politics of intimidation before the executive
\ncommittee's meeting in May,\" Blatter said.<\/p>\n
\"What with holidays and other engagements it has been
\ndifficult enough to arrange even a date and venue for a meeting
\nbetween the representatives of the two countries, who may not be
\nthe best of friends - and this is even before we come to the
\nsubstantive issues,\" he added.<\/p>\n
A meeting is to be held in Zurich on November 6 and Blatter
\nsaid before then FIFA intends to meet Japanese and Korean
\nofficials to discuss how they plan to work together.<\/p>\n
But he added: \"It won't be easy. They cannot even agree on the
\nshape of the tournament.<\/p>\n
\"Japan, for instance, want perhaps 40 teams in the finals so
\nthey have more matches in their cities - but the Koreans want
\nonly 32 teams because they have envisaged only main host cities
\nhosting matches.\"<\/p>\n
Among many other matters still to be decided is where the
\nfinal will be played. One suggestion was for Japan and South
\nKorea to play each other, with the winner deciding the venue.<\/p>\n
Blatter warned 2002 would be the last time the tournament was
\nhosted jointly.<\/p>\n
\"We are learning to appreciate the reasons for one country
\neven more in this present situation regarding 2002,\" he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/south-korea-rejects-world-cup-criticism-1447893297",
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