READING MAKES WRITING PERFECT!
As i am trying to write about the world cup, it is not mean to met at the crest but it seems that i am trying to have everybody's say here.Not long ago, as billions around the globe began feeling the welcome, familiar stirrings of World Cup fever, LIFE.com journeyed into the LIFE magazine archives -- and discovered something of a soccer Holy Grail: unpublished pictures by photographer Art Rickerby from the 1966 Cup in England. Forty-four years later, that tournament -- and one uncanny afternoon -- remain indelible: July 30, 1966, when England won its first and, to date, only World Cup. LIFE.com shared Rickerby's pictures with American soccer Hall of Famer Alexi Lalas. The result? Never-seen photos that provide an intimate, sweeping look at the planet's greatest sporting event, paired with Lalas' unique insights on the profound appeal of the world's "beautiful game." Above: England's captain Bobby Moore raises the Jules Rimet Trophy at Wembley Stadium, London.
Africa was chosen as the host for the 2010 World Cup as part of a short-lived policy, abandoned in 2007, to rotate the event among football confederations. Five African nations placed bids to host the 2010 World Cup: Egypt, Morocco, South Africa and a joint bid from Libya and Tunisia.
Following the decision of the FIFA Executive Committee not to allow co-hosted tournaments, Tunisia withdrew from the bidding process. The committee also decided not to consider Libya's solo bid as it no longer met all the stipulations laid down in the official List of Requirements.
The winning bid was announced by FIFA president Sepp Blatter at a media conference on 15 May 2004 in Zürich; in the first round of voting South Africa received 14 votes, Morocco received 10 votes and Egypt no votes. South Africa, which had narrowly failed to win the right to host the 2006 event, was thus awarded the rights to host the tournament.
During 2006 and 2007, rumours circulated in various news sources that the 2010 World Cup could be moved to another country. Franz Beckenbauer, Horst R. Schmidt and, reportedly, some FIFA executives, expressed concern over the planning, organisation, and pace of South Africa's preparations. FIFA officials repeatedly expressed their confidence in South Africa as host, stating that a contingency plan existed only to cover natural catastrophes, as had been in place at previous FIFA World Cups.
The qualification draw for the 2010 World Cup was held in Durban on 25 November 2007. As the host nation, South Africa qualified automatically for the tournament. As happened in the previous tournament, the defending champions were not given an automatic berth, and Italy had to participate in qualification.
Some controversies took place during the qualifications. In the second leg of the play-off between France and the Republic of Ireland, French captain Thierry Henry, unseen by the referee, handled the ball in the lead up to a late goal, which enabled France to qualify ahead of Ireland, sparking widespread controversy and debate. FIFA rejected a request from the Football Association of Ireland to replay the match,[8] and Ireland later withdrew a request to be included as an unprecedented 33rd World Cup entrant.[9][10] As a result, FIFA announced a review into the use of technology or extra officials at the highest level, but decided against the widely expected fast-tracking of goal-line referee's assistants for the South African tournamen
Costa Rica complained over Uruguay's winning goal in the CONMEBOL–CONCACAF playoff,[12] while Egypt and Algeria's November 2009 matches were surrounded by reports of crowd trouble. On the subject of fair play, FIFA President Sepp Blatter said:
I appeal to all the players and coaches to observe this fair play. In 2010 we want to prove that football is more than just kicking a ball but has social and cultural value ... So we ask the players 'please observe fair play' so they will be an example to the rest of the world
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