FIFA Executive: Reflection and redirection

Zürich, 16 September 2002 - Some three months after the successful conclusion of Asia’s first football World Cup, a final assessment of a competition, which was exceptional in more ways than one, is high on the agenda. The first ever World Cup to be co-hosted, FIFA’s blue ribbon event grabbed the headlines constantly both on and off the field. Refereeing aroused controversy and the otherwise nigh perfect organisation was marred only by problems in ticket sales. The results of the investigation ordered by FIFA President Blatter into these aspects will be submitted to the Executive Committee.
The conclusions drawn will be incorporated in the plans the FIFA executive is devising for future football World Cups such as the 2006 FIFA World Cup™, for which an interim report is expected, and the start of the bidding process for the 2010 World Cup, which, according to a previous decision by the Executive Committee, is due to be staged in Africa.

Decisions on other competitions will include the award of the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup (18 to 29 June 2003) and bids for the FIFA Futsal World Championship in 2004 and the FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship also in 2004.

Other major items for discussion are the shape of FIFA in the medium- and long-term. President Blatter will be making suggestions to his executive colleagues for restructuring the FIFA administration. Furthermore, the board of governors of FIFA Marketing AG is due to be formed. A further item for approval is the composition of the standing committees for the period 2003 to 2006.

Following a resolution by the Ordinary Congress in Seoul, FIFA will henceforth provide a written report on its financial situation on an annual basis. The FIFA executive will therefore be required to discuss the dates and locations of the 2003 and 2004 Congresses. The latter will also be the occasion for celebrating the centenary of FIFA, which was founded in Paris on 21 May 1904. Finally, political topics such as a status report on the Arbitration Tribunal for Football will be dealt with, as will the results of a consultative meeting with the IOC on 17 September, which focused on relations between FIFA and the World Doping Agency, WADA.

Note to editors:

A media conference will be held after the meetings of the Finance Committee and Executive Committee in the Sonnenberg Auditorium at 15.00 h. on Tuesday, 24 September 2002. Reporters interested in attending do not need accreditation. A limited number of workplaces with power and telephone connections are available.