ID :
9433
Thu, 06/05/2008 - 18:33
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/9433
The shortlink copeid
GOVT DENIES $60M BILL FOR WORLD CUP BID
Canberra, June 5 (AAP) - Federal Sports Minister Kate Ellis has denied the federal government has set aside $60 million to fund Australia's bid to host the 2018 soccer World Cup.
The government is backing the Football Federation of Australia (FFA) bid, despite world soccer supremo Sepp Blatter indicating the 2018 tournament would most likely be held in the northern hemisphere.
Media speculation has put the cost of the government support at $60 million, but Ms Ellis told parliament that was a furphy.
"This is an imaginary figure," she said. "No financial commitment has been given at this stage nor has one been sought by theFFA, but we do continue to have regular discussions with the federation about the best ways that we can support them in this bid.
"We are only at the beginning of a very lengthy process and any of these figures which have been quoted widely are both inaccurate and premature."Ms Ellis said Australia still had a good chance of winning the bid, despite the FIFA president indicating that the 2018 tournament would move back to the northern hemisphere after being held in South Africa in 2010 and Brazil in 2014.
Italy and South Africa had backed Australia's bid, she said.
"The government is advised that FIFA will make a decision on both the 2018 and the 2022 World Cup at the same time," she said. "Whilst we have also been informed that bidding for one will not preclude a bid for the other, our sights remain firmly set on 2018."
The government is backing the Football Federation of Australia (FFA) bid, despite world soccer supremo Sepp Blatter indicating the 2018 tournament would most likely be held in the northern hemisphere.
Media speculation has put the cost of the government support at $60 million, but Ms Ellis told parliament that was a furphy.
"This is an imaginary figure," she said. "No financial commitment has been given at this stage nor has one been sought by theFFA, but we do continue to have regular discussions with the federation about the best ways that we can support them in this bid.
"We are only at the beginning of a very lengthy process and any of these figures which have been quoted widely are both inaccurate and premature."Ms Ellis said Australia still had a good chance of winning the bid, despite the FIFA president indicating that the 2018 tournament would move back to the northern hemisphere after being held in South Africa in 2010 and Brazil in 2014.
Italy and South Africa had backed Australia's bid, she said.
"The government is advised that FIFA will make a decision on both the 2018 and the 2022 World Cup at the same time," she said. "Whilst we have also been informed that bidding for one will not preclude a bid for the other, our sights remain firmly set on 2018."
