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FIFA confirm Australia's move into Asian confederation
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-06-30 09:18 FIFA's executive committee on Wednesday ratified
Australia's migration from the Oceania confederation (OFC) to the Asian
confederation (AFC), a move that will have a major impact on soccer in both
regions.
Australia had not been expected to be given approval until September when
FIFA's Congress meets in Marrakech, Morocco but the executive committee saw no
reason to wait until then, said FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Wednesday.
"All the participants were happy with the move and this being the case, the
executive committee approved it under the statutes. It did not need to wait for
Congress."
Blatter added: "The Oceania delegates have thought for many years that
Australia was too powerful and blocked the way of the other 11 countries. Now
New Zealand, and the Pacific islands at least have a chance. They can go it
alone, I am sure it will be a success."
Mohamed Bin Hammam, the AFC president, said: "The FIFA executive committee
decided to allow Australia to move now and I am very glad it has happened.
"It makes sense from both the Oceania point of view and for Asia it is good
that we have another strong country."
Australia now becomes the 46th member of the AFC and its new status should
have a hugely beneficial impact on the development of soccer in the country.
The move will also end a series of mis-matches which have included Australia
crushing Pacific island nations American Samoa 31-0 and Tonga 22-0 in World Cup
qualifiers in the last few years.
At the same time it will give Australia a far more realistic chance of
reaching future World Cup finals -- something they have not done since 1974 in
West Germany.
Australia have usually won the Oceania zone qualifying competition with ease
-- and then faltered in a two-legged playoff against South American or Asian
opponents.
This way they can afford to lose some matches like every other nation does
during the 18-month long qualifying campaign -- and still get through to the
finals.
The announcement was made, ironically, on the day Australia coach Frank
Farina stepped down from his job after three straight defeats by his team in the
Confederations Cup.
Australia are still hoping to qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany
through their traditional route, but will be an Asian nation for the 2010
qualifying campaign ahead of the finals in South Africa.
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