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FIFA President Sepp Blatter Wants Boost For African Nations Presence in FIFA World Cup Tournaments

Submitted by Pavlos Skoufis on Wed, 18/01/2006 - 15:55.

The president of FIFA, the governing body of World Football, said that Africa will need a bigger representation in future FIFA World Cup tournaments.

Sepp Blatter made a speech at the Confederation of African Football Congress, which is taking place in Egypt, the host of the 2006 African Nations Cup.

There are major developments in African Football in recent years, while the continent will host it's first-ever FIFA World Cup in South Africa at the summer of 2010.

Blatter also spoke about the issue of hosts South Africa, who did not qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany, who might be included in the 2010 tournament with the cost of another African Nation place.

Sepp Blatter said that he favours a sixth spot for African Nations, as they do have a big presence in the 2006 World Cup.

"Those with a bigger representation will automatically, and perhaps even logically, have a better chance."

"What must be done? You have to fight on the pitch and I can assure you that we will continue to fight for a better African representation at the World Cup," Blatter said, causing the African Nations representatives to applause him.

"In 1998, when I was on the way to the FIFA presidency I had... a project in mind to bring the World Cup to Africa. That has now been done," he said, referring to his efforts to develop Football in Africa.

FIFA's President also turned down criticism about the tournament being awarded to South Africa, when many said that it won't be able to generate as much revenue as the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

"The market has not been mistaken… It's the prophets who have made a mistake."

"The 2010 World Cup, with most of the contracts that we have reached with television and sponsors, will bring in more money than that of 2006."

"That means that football is an excellent product... that the FIFA World Cup is even bigger because it has a bigger audience than the Olympic Games."

"Every one wants to be there, and thirdly, and for more me the most important thing, it means people have confidence in Africa."

"The whole world will be behind this World Cup..."

Sepp Blatter also spoke about the vast amounts of money managed by FIFA each year. He said that most of the income generated will be used for Football development projects, such as the one being launched in Africa, where with FIFA funding, players will be given the opportunity to stay in Africa and play, instead of going to European Clubs which can afford huge salaries.

"Obviously, you'll still need a few stars elsewhere in the world, but not the hundreds and thousands who play in the second or third divisions in other countries."


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