F.I.F.A. ‘extravagances’ blamed

Press, 27 October 1982, Page 52

F.I.F.A. ‘extravagances’ blamed

NZPA Bogota Colombia has pulled out of staging the 1986 World Cup finals and President Belisario Betancur blamed it on what he called the extravagances of F.1.F.A., the governing body of world soccer. The conservative president, speaking on national radio and television, declared: "The golden rule was hot fulfilled — the World Cup should serve Colombia, and not Colombia the World Cup multi-national.” After outlining Colombia’s serious economic problems he confirmed an earlier an-

nouncement that his country would not hold soccer’s most prestigious competition. “Since we must protect public interests, since we know wastage is unforgivable, I announce to my compatriots that the 1986 World Cup will not be held in Colombia, following a democratic consultation on what our real necessities are,” he said. “In this country we have many other things to do and we do not have time even to attend to the extravagances of F.I.F.A. and its members,” he added. F.I.F.A. designated Colombia as host for the 1986 World Cup finals 10 years

ago but the -issue became a matter of heated debate in the last two years due mainly to a campaign by Ramiro Andrade, a Colombian senator who argued that this would divert resources from public works.' Last month, Mr Betancur appointed a commission to look into costs. The United States and Brazil both said yesterday that they would apply to hold the 1986 World Cup finals once they had received official confirmation of Colombia’s decision. Canada has also shown interest in staging the competition. Mr Betancur’s decision

came as no surprise after ms election victory earlier this year. When he took office on August 7, he stressed that not one dollar of public money would be put aside to finance the World Cup. F.LF.A, insists that host nations build 12 stadiums with a minimum capacity of 40,000 for the first round of matches and stadiums with an 80,000-capacity for the inauguration match and final rounds.

It also requires rail links between the different regional centres and airports to be built in the centres. Colombia, because of its size and geography, has a limited rail system and few

stadiums with a capacity of more than 40,000. A recent opinion poll showed 64 per cent of Colombians were against having the World Cup in their country. The Brazilian federation, host in 1950, was authorised by the President, Joao Figueriedo, last August to make a bid if neighbouring Colombia could not manage it.

“Brazil has sufficient means to stage the World Cup. The Government is prepared to give us all its support,” said the federation’s president, Giulite Coutinho.

The Brazilians, who have won the World Cup three times, say they should have first option because they are from the same continent as the Colombians. This view is championed by the South Americas Soccer Federation chief, Teofilo Salinas. The former U.S. Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, prepared the ground for the United States to bid for its first World Cup during last summer’s finals tournament

in Spain. “We do not want to take the 1986 World Cup from Colombia but if they cannot do it we are prepared to hold it in the United States,” he said then.