S. Korea, Japan quarrel over 2002 W. Cup name

S. Korea, Japan quarrel over 2002 W. Cup name

SEOUL (Reuters): South Korea has threatened to challenge an agreement to hold the 2002 World Cup final in Japan if Japanese organizers continue to insist on relegating the word "Korea" to second place on ticket application forms, Seoul's Yonhap News Agency reported on Sunday.

A FIFA decision in 1996 granted the prestigious final match in the co-hosted tournament to Tokyo but officially named the competition as "2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan".

Japan has angered South Korea with plans to print 'Japan' before 'Korea' on ticket applications for the finals.

"If Japan continues to demand for a change in the title name, we may ask for a review of the agreement to hold the final game in Japan," Yonhap quoted an official at the Korean World Cup organizing committee known as KOWOC.

"If Japan is going to take the title issue to the next FIFA executive board meeting, the venue of the World Cup final should also be discussed again," the official added.

KOWOC officials were not immediately available for comment.

FIFA general-secretary Michel Zen-Ruffinen said in late January his idea, which was believed to be a suggestion that the name 'Japan' be put first in the Japanese language -- was being considered and a decision would be made in due course.