UEFA said that Europe "deserves at least one more place at the World Cup and is optimistic that will be granted for the 2018 tournament in Russia," according to Brian Homewood of REUTERS. UEFA "was allocated 13 slots at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and wants a 14th next time around, in addition to Russia who qualify automatically as hosts." UEFA Secretary General Gianni Infantino said, "I think there is a big chance that we will have more than 13 because if you look at it objectively, based on facts, 19 of the top 32-ranked associations are European. The winners of the last three World Cups were three (different) European teams, so I think it's absolutely objective and fair to be asking for one more place only" (REUTERS, 3/23). In a separate article, Homewood wrote UEFA said that the association, which represents European football's professional leagues, "is alone in its opposition to the settlement reached last week over the timing of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar." FIFA "also agreed to make a threefold increase in the amount it makes in so-called collaboration costs to all clubs who release players for the tournament, a move welcomed by the European Clubs' Association." However, the European Professional Football Leagues association maintained its opposition and said on Saturday that "it would back any legal action against FIFA regarding the scheduling of the tournament, traditionally held in June and July." Infantino said, "I think they are pretty much alone in this stance, even amongst themselves they are pretty much divided. I think we all have to come a little bit back down to earth and not overplay the things we are speaking about here" (REUTERS, 3/23).
DEBATE AXED: REUTERS' Mike Collett wrote FIFA presidential candidate Michael van Praag said on Monday he was "very disappointed" a TV debate with the other challengers had been abandoned because incumbent Sepp Blatter refused to take part. Van Praag, in a four-way fight for the presidency with Blatter, Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan and Luis Figo of Portugal, added that "he had welcomed the TV proposal from the BBC and Sky Sports in co-operation with NOS, the Dutch public broadcasting service." Van Praag: "For clarity and to avoid misunderstandings the purest way to know what all the four people think and what they want and like and dislike, is such a debate" (REUTERS, 3/23). REUTERS reported Blatter "will come face to face with some of his harshest critics on Tuesday, most of whom will be voting to remove him from office when the Swiss stands for re-election in May." The 79-year-old "is to address the 54-member nations of UEFA at their annual Congress knowing most of the delegates are backing the other three candidates" (REUTERS, 3/23).
