By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
May 3 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter, with typically deliberate timing, has re-opened the prickly debate over World Cup slots by promoting Asia’s case for more representation.
In a speech that is bound to cause irritation in Europe and South America, Blatter told the Asian Football Confederation Congress in Kuala Lumpur it wasn’t fair the 46-member body had so few places compared to the two most successful World Cup Continents.
“You are a powerhouse, you must be aware of your powerhouse,” Blatter told member federations 24 hours after Sheikh Salman of Bahrain was elected as the new AFC President in a landslide victory.
Asian teams have just four guaranteed World Cup berths, with a fifth available only via an intercontinental playoff. For the 2014 tournament in Brazil, that playoff will be against an almost certainly stronger South American team.
“Perhaps we should not change a lot but we have the right, and you have the right, and I have the obligation and the responsibility to bring this matter to discussion,” Blatter told delegates. “The access to the World Cup should be a little bit better balanced.”
“In 2014 in Brazil, of 32 teams one has qualified from South America (Brazil as hosts) and then you have 13 teams from one of the continents, which is Europe, and possibly five more from South America,” Blatter continued.
“If this happens then you have 19 out of 32, there is no chance to kick them out before one of them is in the semi-finals. This is the law of the numbers. We shall have a look on this, you should have a look on that and bring such items on the agenda because we should have a better balance.”
Blatter’s backing for more Asian World Cup places, almost certainly at the expense of Europe, will not go down well with UEFA boss Michel Platini who is expected to run for the FIFA presidency in 2015 when the Swiss, currently, 77, is due to step down.
Blatter has never said categorically, however, that he won’t stand again and his latest remarks could be interpreted as an indication he may go for a fifth term, with Asia’s backing behind him. While discussing his much-touted reform package, he appeared to throw in a strong hint. “This will be the last term of, not of office, the last term of the reform,” Blatter said, smiling.
Since the World Cup was expanded to 32 teams at the 1998 tournament in France, the knockout stages have been dominated by European and South American teams. But they represent only 63 countries, less than one-third of FIFA’s current 209 members.
Blatter noted that half of FIFA’s revenue – which totals more than $1 billion each year – comes from Asian broadcasters and sponsors. Platini was not present to hear Blatter’s speech, having left Kuala Lumpur late Thursday following a gala dinner.
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