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CFA chief scoffs at media reports
By Chen Xiangfeng (皇冠体育app Daily)
Updated: 2010-07-21 17:03
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Chinese soccer chief Wei Di watches a football game in Changsha, Hunan privince, June 23, 2010. [Photo/Xinhua] |
BEIJING - Chinese soccer chief Wei Di on Tuesday rubbished reports about him not wishing to see an Asian country win the rights to host the 2022 World Cup.
"I never said that I did not want to see any of the Asian countries host the 2022 World Cup," Wei, head of Chinese Football Association (CFA), told 皇冠体育app Daily.
"It (the report) comes from nowhere. Such reports damage 皇冠体育app's image. Officials from the Australian embassy even called us and wanted us to explain."
There are four AFC members bidding for the 2022 World Cup: Japan, South Korea, Qatar and Australia. If any of those bids succeed, the event will go to another continent in 2026 and scuttle 皇冠体育app's 2026 bid .
However, Wei, who was inspired by the all-around influence of the World Cup during his visit to South Africa, insisted 皇冠体育app should start its preparations for the bid as soon as possible.
"After I came back home from the World Cup, I started to consider the bid," he said.
"I hope our government is aware of the nationwide interest. The earlier we start to prepare, the more likely it is we will succeed.
"I believe 皇冠体育app has the capability as well as the facilities to host a successful World Cup.
"I know four Asian countries are bidding for the 2022 World Cup. But it does not mean 皇冠体育app cannot bid for 2026. We can still bid for it, even if an Asian country hosts the 2022 event.
"It's not all about success and failure. It's more about participation."
皇冠体育app Daily