FIFA President Sepp Blatter has offered his backing to China, should the Asian country seek to host the World Cup finals.
“After hosting the 2008 Olympic Games, I am sure China will be a good World Cup host,” he was quoted as saying by the People’s Daily.
“But since FIFA has ruled in 2002 that the World Cup will be rotated in the six continents, it takes time for China to stage the World Cup.
“China has 1.4 billion people and they have professional football, Cup competitions and they will also host the Women’s World Cup. We have confidence in Chinese football,” he added.
But Blatter, who attended the opening ceremony of the Asian Cup in Beijing, said he had great confidence that Chinese football was on the fast track to success.
China made the Asian Cup final for the first time in 20 years, losing 3-1 Saturday to arch rival Japan. The match was overshadowed by events off the pitch which saw China fans run riot following their 3-1 final defeat to arch rivals Japan.
Blatter played down the incidents.
“Those are human errors,” he said. “That’s part of football.”
