January 7 – Oceania Football Confederation President David Chung says obtaining direct entry into the World Cup instead of his region being forced every time into an intercontinental playoff will be a major priority after he was re-elected unopposed to run FIFA’s smallest regional bloc, in terms of footballing stature at least.
Chung was first elected president of the 11-member confederation in 2011 after Reynald Temarii was kicked out following newspaper claims that he offered to sell his World Cup vote.
Oceania are widely supportive of FIFA president Sepp Blatter and made that clear at their session in Sao Paulo just before the World Cup.
Chung, who runs the Papua New Guinea federation, says he will now be lobbying Blatter to give his confederation greater representation. Currently Oceania have a half slot at the World Cup, their regional winner going into a two-leg playoff against a rival confederation for a place in the finals.
Chung, who retains his FIFA vice-presidency after being re-elected at the OFC congress, wants direct World Cup entry and is also seeking a second FIFA executive committee place for his confederation.
“I will need your support to lead our confederation and enable us to grow the game, create pathways for our elite and generate income to make us financially sustainable and create wealth to distribute to our member associations and reinvest back in football in each country,” he told members.
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