JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 26 April 2004 — President of soccer’s governing body yesterday predicted a close race to host Africa’s first World Cup in 2010, saying he hoped he would not have to cast his deciding vote.
“If you are listening around the world, then you can imagine that it will be possibly as tight as it was in 2000, when it came to the decision for 2006,” Sepp Blatter told reporters in South Africa, which narrowly lost the earlier bid to Germany.
South Africa is now a favorite to host the 2010 tournament, but faces strong competition from Morocco. Egypt, Tunisia and Libya are also bidding.
“Don’t ask me who is my favorite,” Blatter said. “Understand that I am neutral.”
Blatter was in the country with other FIFA executives to attend President Thabo Mbeki’s inauguration today for a second term and celebrations marking the first decade of multiracial democracy.
Arsenal’s Henry Wins Second
PFA Player of Year Award
In London, Striker Thierry Henry capped a perfect day for champions Arsenal when he was named the English Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Player of the Year for the second consecutive season on Sunday. Arsenal clinched their 13th English championship — Henry’s second since joining the London club in 1999.
Henry did not score on this occasion but the 26-year-old is sure to finish the season as the league’s top scorer with 29 goals so far, out of a total of 37 in all competitions.
