FFA Statement: Media reports incorrect
Football Federation Australia (FFA) said today that reports in some Adelaide media of discussions with the South Australian government this week were incorrect.
FFA CEO, Ben Buckley, met with the Sports Minister on Monday to bring him up-to-date as a courtesy about two matters related to Australia-s bid to host the FIFA World Cup.
“At no stage did we issue an ultimatum,” said Buckley.
“It has always been our view that the bid for the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup is a national one and we want to ensure Adelaide is part of it.”
Buckley said the purpose of the meeting was to inform the Government of some key timelines related to the Bid and to brief them on FIFA-s technical requirements which were provided to bidding nations very recently.
FFA is in the process of meeting with all State governments on these matters.
Buckley said that FIFA-s technical requirements make it clear that there are serious compliance issues in respect of AAMI Stadium.
“I also advised that FIFA-s technical requirements include a minimum capacity of in excess of 40,000 spectators.”
Buckley said that the current plans for Adelaide Oval were to take it to a maximum capacity of 36,000 and it would not, therefore, meet FIFA technical requirements but if there were plans for increased capacity then it would be “a very viable option”.
He added that FFA has to decide on the cities and stadium to be included in their bid by the end of this year.
“This does not mean the stadium has to be built or even has to be commenced in that timeframe.
“It simply means that there needs to be a commitment to a FIFA compliant option on the basis that the bid is successful,” Buckley said.
“We-ve always been committed to a solution in Adelaide to ensure it is part of a successful bid, and we look forward to continuing to work constructively with the South Australian government to make that happen.”
The decision on the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup tournaments will be made in December 2010.