FIFA U-20 World Cup to Kick-Off in Egypt; Executive Probes Transfer Deals

(ATR) Final preparations are being made in Egypt for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which kicks off in Alexandria on Thursday.

Twenty-four nations compete for the title, but six-time winner Argentina is absent after they unexpectedly failed to qualify.

Traditionally, the tournament – FIFA’s second oldest competition – has offered fans a glimpse of the stars of tomorrow. According to world football’s governing body, 485 footballers who have appeared in the tournament have gone on to take part in the quadrennial FIFA World Cup; 21 of these players have gone on to claim the world title with their national teams.

At the 2007 tournament in Canada, Sergio Aguero starred for Argentina as the South American team claimed a sixth U-20 title. Aguero has firmly established his place in the senior national team.

Among the form sides expected to reach the latter stages of the tournament are reigning European U-17 and U-21 champions Germany, U-19 and U-21 European finalists England and runners-up in the Canada 2007 edition, Czech Republic.

From Africa, Ghana and Egypt are tipped to do well, with the host nation opening their campaign against Group A rivals Trinidad and Tobago on the first day of the tournament at Alexandria's Egyptian Army Stadium. It will be the first official match at the 80,000-seater venue, constructed as part of the nation’s unsuccessful 2010 World Cup bid.

Another iconic host venue is the city's 80-year-old Alexandria Stadium, which incorporates part of the old city walls within its structure.

Cairo's International Stadium will play host to most of the tournament action, with 13 fixtures including two of Egypt's group-stage games, two quarter-finals, both semis, the third-place play-off and the final.

FIFA reports that many Egyptians, especially those based in the capital, are travelling to the countryside and coastal resorts for the holiday season, which continues until just after the tournament kick-off.

But tournament director Khaled Abdel-Aziz does not believe the holiday period and religious celebrations will adversely affect attendances.

“The Eid and holiday period will be a great opportunity for the Egyptian public to get behind their team and cheer them to victory,” he said. “The crowd will turn out to support our team especially if they are winning. The Egyptians love sport and love to win.”

He said when Egypt recently hosted the World Youth Handball Championship preliminary games only drew 200-odd fans, but as the hosts continued to win attendances grew to 20,000.

About 50,000 tickets have been sold for the opening match and Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak is expected to attend along with FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

FIFA Probes Transfer Deals

Blatter says FIFA will investigate suspected irregularities with 15 player transfers involving English clubs, after the Football Association flagged its concerns.

“We are not a police force and cases have to be reported to us but our executive committee will be discussing these new cases in Brazil next week,” Blatter said.

Quest, the FA’s independent auditor of transfers, has compiled a list of the deals, dating back to the start of last year. They involve players moving to and from England between January 2008 and January 2009 and are in addition to the 15 deals already being looked at by FIFA following Quest's original investigation between 2004 and 2006.

That brings to 30, the total number of deals under FIFA scrutiny, as English football comes to terms with the governing body’s hard-line sanctions against Chelsea. FIFA banned the club from registering any new players after it was found guilty of coaxing Gael Kakuta into breaching his contract with French club Lens.

The 15 new cases are believed to relate to irregularities or incomplete information regarding agents, rather than the type of illegal approach alleged in the Kakuta affair. The cases – in accordance with the 2008 players' agent regulations – come within the jurisdiction of the FIFA disciplinary committee.

An original Quest investigation into dodgy deals looked closely into 362 transfer deals between January 2004 and January 2006.

2010 World Cup on FIFA Executive Agenda

The FIFA Executive Committee, chaired by Blatter, meets in Rio de Janeiro next Tuesday. In addition to player transfers, members will discuss an array of topics, including Olympic football and FIFA’s own tournaments.

The executive committee will appoint members of a working group to consider the eligibility criteria for players participating in future men's Olympic football tournaments.

“The committee decided to create this working group at its last meeting,” FIFA said in a statement.

The statement said the committee will also be updated on the FIFA Confederations Cup, held in South Africa earlier this year, as well as the FIFA U-20 World Cup kicking off in Egypt this week.

Blatter and executive members will discuss preparations for the 2010 World Cup, including the final draw in Cape Town Dec. 4. Also under scrutiny will be the organizationa progress of plans for the Brazil 2014 World Cup.

Discussions are also expected on the FIFA Medical Conference, taking place in Zurich Oct. 17-18.

South African Government Highlights Transport Concerns

lLessons learnt from the organizational effort behind the FIFA Confederations Cup in June will be used to prepare for the South Africa football showpiece next year, the government said this week.

Transport Minister S'bu Ndebele said his department was finalizing a report on “our transport state of readiness for the World Cup”.

“Transport will play a critical role in the success of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It is not only about sport but transport,” he said in a statement.

Each province is appointing a dedicated 2010 Transport Coordinator, reporting directly to the government.

“This coordinating team will enable us to take decisive steps to overcome our shortcomings and ensure integration and coordination between national, provincial and local government 2010 transport plans,” Ndebele said.

“One of the lessons we learnt from the 2009 Confederations Cup is that transport is going to be critical in the mass movement of fans. While we will use taxis and buses, it is clear that we must use rail as the backbone of our transport system during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.”

The transport program for the World Cup will ensure the smooth movement of fans, FIFA officials, associates and media, he said, adding that a vastly improved public transport system would be one of the events legacies for South Africa.

The Department of Transport, in consultation with the transport sector, developed the 2010 Transport Action Plan. The plan integrates transport, security, emergency response and socio-economic development. A major overhaul in South Africa’s transport infrastructure, includes investment in: public transport and road infrastructure, rail upgrades, Bus Rapid Transit systems, airport-city links and intelligent transport systems.

With reporting from Anthony Stavrinos

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