South Korea rejects World Cup criticism

South Korea rejects World Cup criticism

SEOUL (AFP): South Korean World Cup organizers said yesterday they were not taking seriously criticism made by FIFA general secretary Sepp Blatter of preparations for the 2002 finals.

The first World Cup final to be held in Asia was jointly awarded to South Korea and Japan after months of bitter rivalry between the two. But Blatter warned this has not died down and that the International Football Federation (FIFA) may have to award the event to another country.

Japanese football officials would not comment, saying they were still waiting to see Blatter's interview with World Soccer magazine. They denied that FIFA had made any official complaint.

But an official at the Office of Preparation for the 2002 World Cup in Seoul said South Korean organizers were taking Blatter's comments as "personal" and "not serious."

Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said there was enough time for South Korea and Japan to resolve their differences.

"We believe such differences are not so serious and can be solved through negotiations.

"It was Blatter's personal opinion and not the FIFA's formal decision or warning which we have to heed," he said.

The official said that disputes with Japan should not get worse. But he warned that if they did, it would give the wrong signal and undermine preparations.

Sensitive

Disputes over the preparations have become so sensitive, because of wrangling between South Korea and Japan before the finals were awarded this year, that FIFA has cautioned the two nations about making statements in public.

Blatter called on Japan and South Korea to forget their differences and get down to working together for the 2002 World Cup.

"I must say that the countries are not only not coming closer, it's quite the opposite. They are moving further apart. This is not the marriage we want, " Blatter told World Soccer magazine.

"There is no point in looking back over all the maneuvering, even the politics of intimidation before the executive committee's meeting in May," Blatter said.

"What with holidays and other engagements it has been difficult enough to arrange even a date and venue for a meeting between the representatives of the two countries, who may not be the best of friends - and this is even before we come to the substantive issues," he added.

A meeting is to be held in Zurich on November 6 and Blatter said before then FIFA intends to meet Japanese and Korean officials to discuss how they plan to work together.

But he added: "It won't be easy. They cannot even agree on the shape of the tournament.

"Japan, for instance, want perhaps 40 teams in the finals so they have more matches in their cities - but the Koreans want only 32 teams because they have envisaged only main host cities hosting matches."

Among many other matters still to be decided is where the final will be played. One suggestion was for Japan and South Korea to play each other, with the winner deciding the venue.

Blatter warned 2002 would be the last time the tournament was hosted jointly.

"We are learning to appreciate the reasons for one country even more in this present situation regarding 2002," he said.