Scotland In The Running For Glamour Tournament

Mar 9 2008 By Gordon Waddell

Scotland In The Running To Host Glamour Tourney Says Sepp Blatter

FIFA president Sepp Blatter last night urged the SFA to put Scotland on the big stage by bidding for the Club World Cup.

The global game's biggest hitter reckons the country would be the perfect host for the glamour tournament involving club champions of all six FIFA confederations with AC Milan the current holders.

And as he made a whirlwind two-day stop at Gleneagles for the 122nd International Football Association Board meeting it's understood Blatter has advised chief executive Gordon Smith to throw Scotland's hat in the ring for the 2011 event.

Japan have hosted the tournament since 2005 and will do so again this year but bidding is already under way for 2009 and 2010 with Portugal, Australia and United Arab Emirates all in the running.

Speaking at a private briefing Blatter told MailSport: "The World Club Cup would fit Scotland - I am sure they can organise it. We've opened bidding for 2009 and 2010 and Scotland was not on the list.

"But this would be good for you because you have excellent stadia, especially in Glasgow, and it would be easy to organise.

"I would encourage the Scottish FA to show the world it can be organised in a smaller country.

"We would not go to Paris, Madrid or Barcelona for this but Scotland could be the one.

"Your public is good - not only inside the country but also when you accompany teams.

"I remember coming to Glasgow to present a special Fair Play Award for Celtic's spectators and their behaviour in Seville during the UEFA Cup Final.

"I am sure if a world competition is held in Scotland the public will come for it.

"When the Youth World Cup was played here in 1989 there was a game, in Dundee I think where fans were locked out of the stadium so high was the interest and we had to make sure there was no harm.

"The Scotland team did so well. It was with great credit to lose in the final on penalties." And with a sly dig, matching the suspicions of the Scottish football public over the ages of champions Saudi Arabia, Blatter said: "Especially when I am not sure if the players in the other team went to the same school..."

Blatter's backing will give Smith a boost as he bids to make his mark on Scottish football.

And the SFA will feel vindicated to hear the FIFA supremo endorse their stance on avoiding participation in a British Olympic team.

With London 2012 looming the idea is back on the agenda, especially with Olympics chief Seb Coe inviting Sir Alex Ferguson to manage a British side.

However, the SFA have always feared their place at the game's top table would be in jeopardy if Team GB took part in an event.

With some emerging countries questioning all four home nations' right to a berth on FIFA's executive committee plus a guaranteed vice-presidency, Hampden's blazers believe they would be throwing the door open to a dilution of their powers.

And Blatter, 71, agrees. He said: "According to the articles of FIFA from 1946 a combined team will not affect the privileges of the four British nations.

"And I have no problem if they field a team with English players or Welsh.

"But I am not FIFA - I am only the president. I cannot categorically state this and I am sure the more you write about this item for the 2012 Olympics these privileges will again be questioned somewhere in the world.

"In the past these privileges were brought up within FIFA with people asking if they were acceptable or not. But it has always been rejected or withdrawn before it went to a vote.

The balance has changed though.

"Then, Britain had four votes among 127 FIFA nations and now there are 208. The question will definitely come back so it is about how you manage the privileges.

"The best solution is there will maybe only be the English team at the Olympics. A combined team is not a good idea.

"Fill the team with one country and the story is over. How they choose which one is up to them.

I understand the SFA's stance."