World Cup bombshells for France, Portugal

CAPE TOWN: France were handed a World Cup bombshell yesterday when they learned they were not among the top seeds for the tournament, although FIFA insisted the decision had nothing to do with the Thierry Henry handball incident.

The French delegation had traveled to Cape Town confident it would be among the seven heavyweights of world football to join hosts South Africa in the top strata ensuring a relatively easier draw for the group stages.

But it was shocked when FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke announced that the Netherlands would fill the remaining spot that had been in doubt ahead of 1998 winners France and semifinalists four years ago Portugal.