Fifa president Sepp Blatter has exclusively revealed to BBC Sport Online that the 2010 World Cup will « definitely » be held in Africa.
Fifa president Sepp Blatter has exclusively revealed to BBC Sport Online that the 2010 World Cup will « definitely » be held in Africa.
Blatter also said he had worked hard to try and get the 2006 event staged there, but had never promised it to the continent.
The World Cup in 2010 will definitely be in Africa
Fifa president Sepp Blatter
« What I promised was that I would work hard to make sure that the World Cup would go to Africa to 2006.
« I tried very hard but Africa lost the vote in a democratic way because there was one abstention.
« But since that vote, I have worked very hard to change Fifa regulations so that the World Cup is rotated around continents.
« This has been accepted by the executive committee and the congress and the World Cup in 2010 will definitely be in Africa. »
Johansson was Blatter’s opponent in 1998
In response to allegations of financial mismanagement within Fifa, Blatter claimed reporting of the issue had been « dominated by losers of the last [presidential] election ».
« I think we are dealing with people who do not know how to lose, » he added.
Blatter also hit back at claims he and his supporters bribed African delegates to vote for him in the 1998 Fifa presidential elections.
« They should have reacted (to the bribery claims) as such then, when the election was over.
« But now, four years later, they come and tried to destabilise the office of the Fifa president. I don’t think that is correct or fair. »
He insisted that the allegations, intially made by Farah Addo, first vice-president of the Confederation of African football (Caf), were without foundation
Hayatou has challenged Blatter for the Fifa job
« Farah Addo has brought up a story from four years ago, in which a court in Zurich totally cleared me.
« Fifa’s disciplinary committee is investigating why he made such allegations.
« One day, Mr Addo will have to provide evidence for these allegations.
« I was not involved in any bribery and never have been. »
Blatter said supporters of his election opponent, Caf president Issa Hayatou, should concentrate on supporting their man instead.
« They should promote their candidate, not diminish the work a man has done with Fifa since 1975 ».
