Soccer: Olympics-style scandal out

By Terry Maddaford

Sepp Blatter is determined soccer will not become embroiled in an Olympics-style controversy over the allocation of future World Cup venues. He is just as adamant he will not follow the lead of IOC boss Juan Antonio Samaranch in hanging about seemingly forever.

Blatter, in Auckland for Saturday's opening of the Charles Dempsey Academy at the headquarters of the Oceania Football Confederation at Mt Smart, said Fifa had clear guidelines for choosing host countries.

"We do not get into bribes and bargaining," said 62-year-old Blatter. "Our 24-strong executive make the final decision but they do not go to the countries. We have technical advisers who inspect all stadiums and other facilities. They make their recommendations - without stating a preference - to the executive who then make their decision.

"There are no gifts, no bribes and so far there have not been any suggestions of that. I would rather see countries give money to football than publicising their bid."

Blatter, who played semi- professional third category football in his native Switzerland and still plays for Fifa teams on a very casual basis, came to Fifa from watchmaker Longines where he was director of marketing for seven years. He had 17 years as general secretary under former president Joao Havelange before winning the presidency last year.

"I stood for president because I wanted to stay in football. Seventeen years as general secretary was enough," said Blatter who has the advantage of speaking fluent English, German, French, Spanish, Italian and a little Portuguese.

"I'm advocating that no president should in future have more than two four-year terms. Football is changing rapidly and the president should be able to give his ideas and then go away. That [the term of presidency] will be a matter for the 2000 congress in Sydney."

But the changes Blatter advocates have little to do with the way the game is played.

"Football is a simple game. Changing the rules only complicates things. The only major change in recent years has been in the rule governing the pass back to the goalkeepers and, to a lesser extent, tightening the rules about tackling from behind and the passive offside."

Blatter does not, however, want to see radical changes like widening the goalposts. Or dramatically changing the offside rule.

"The offside trap which many see as boring, can be overcome but only if you have good officials," said Blatter. "It is up to Fifa to ensure the standard of refereeing and linesmen is improved."

Blatter said Fifa is also closely monitoring its drugs in sport policy but again without having encountered any real problems.
"We are working through it but you can't compare team and individual sports," Blatter said. "We must make decisions [on drug-taking in football] that will be upheld by the courts. I have already met with top people in the Olympic movement and in athletics and they are in agreement with our policies."

In paying tribute to the work done by Oceania president Charlie Dempsey, Blatter said the academy, already used by selected under-17 goalkeepers in a course last month, was fitting tribute to Dempsey's unflagging efforts to promote football in Fifa's most far-flung confederation.

"I can definitely see an on-going role for Oceania in world football. As a full member since 1996, Fifa has given them plenty of support and I'm determined that will continue. I am president of the small national associations as well as the big."

Blatter, on his sixth visit to New Zealand, will be back at least once more this year.

"I will be here for the under-17 youth championships - which I am sure New Zealand will host very well - and might also be here when the draw for those championships is done.

"Giving the championships back to New Zealand in July last year was my first official decision as president. I did it with no regrets and am looking forward to returning for the tournament."