Asia demands five berths in Germany 2006 World Cup

Asia demands five berths in Germany 2006 World Cup

M. Jegathesan, Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Wednesday demanded five automatic berths in the 2006 World Cup as it unveiled a new logo to spur the "magical" game in Asia.

"We are entering a new millennium where the image of football has evolved over the years from a game to an industry," AFC general secretary Peter Velappan told AFP.

"The game has become magical. Asia has 3.2 billion people representing more than 60 percent of the world population."

The new logo, replacing one inaugurated in 1954, has the letters "AFC" in white logotype on blue with a stylized football globe depicting Asia in a series of hexagonal shapes set in gold with a rising sun behind it.

"As a confederation, we have emerged as a key player on the international stage. Against this backdrop, it is only fitting that we adopt a new identity."

The logo, to be launched Wednesday night by AFC president Sultan Ahmad Shah along with the AFC gallery at the new AFC House in Bukit Jalil south of Kuala Lumpur, underlines the belief that in football "the future is Asia", Velappan said.

AFC would continue to fight for five automatic berths in the 2006 World Cup instead of the present four places and one play- off chance against a European side, he said.

In 1999, AFC threatened to boycott the 2002 World Cup if FIFA failed to resolve the row over berth allocation, but did not carry it through.

Velappan said he was confident the AFC would win the extra berth in future. "This is almost certain because many in FIFA believe Asia should be given more places in the World Cup. We will fight for it."

Velappan said Asian teams should perform well to strengthen AFC's case. "We look forward for five teams in the 2006 World Cup in Germany."

Identifying the challenges for Asian teams in the new millennium, he said AFC would fight corruption and drug abuse.

"We will continue to be vigilant to fight the problems. We are encouraged by the fact that we are winning the battle," he said, adding that the drug scourge was under control.

"There are very few players in Asia consuming drugs. We do carry out regular doping control. Most of them turn out to be negative.

"We are also working towards providing a better deal for players in order to increase their commitment and quality. We also want to see more players going to Europe to learn the professional trade."

Velappan, who is FIFA's coordinating director for the 2002 World Cup, to be co-hosted by Japan and South Korea, said future World Cups should be jointly hosted since only a dozen countries in FIFA have the resources and expertise to host alone.

"There are not more than 12 countries in the world who can single-handedly host a World Cup of 32 teams," he said.

Velappan said FIFA had 204 members and everybody should be given an equal opportunity. "Co-hosting may be the best solution for the future."