FIFA scraps synchronised World Cup kickoffs
Reuters - Friday 26 September 2008, 09:16
JOHANNESBURG - Plans to play the next
round of African World Cup qualifiers at the same time have
been ditched after complaints from participating countries.
FIFA had ordered 22 matches across 12 groups to kick off at
1300 GMT on October 11 to avoid any side having an advantage
before playing their final game of the second round group
phase.
The decision has since been reversed after protests from
several teams, notably from west African countries who would
have had to kick off in blazing lunchtime temperatures of
around 40 degrees Celsius.
A FIFA spokesman admitted on Friday that their original
decision had "proved difficult due to climaticchallenges."
He added: "Therefore it was decided that matches would be
played simultaneously only in those groups where the first
and/or second places in the standings have not yet been
determined."
Matches will now be played on both October 11 and 12.
The 12 group winners plus eight best-placed runners-up
advance to the final group phase next year. Seventeen of the 20
places are still up for grabs.
Benin, Cameroon and Nigeria are already assured of
advancing to the last phase.
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