Tuesday, October 9, 2007

FIFA president Sepp Blatter insults American franchises

FIFA president Sepp Blatter wants to tighten regulations regarding club ownership to prevent "the American franchise system'' from infiltrating European soccer.

Blatter said Tuesday he was disappointed by a recent Court of Arbitration for Sport decision to dismiss an attempt by Spain's soccer federation to block the league from including Granada 74 in the second division.

The club won promotion to the regional fourth division last season but has leapt two flights by taking the place of Ciudad Murcia, which it recently bought. Granada 74 is now 16th in the second division.

CAS ruled Aug. 24 that Granada 74 had been "duly recognized'' by the league and that the name change and move breached no applicable regulations.

"I am very disappointed that CAS has ignored the principle of sporting criteria for qualifying for a division and opened doors for the American franchise system to football,'' Blatter said. "FIFA will take immediate action to stop this loophole by passing appropriate regulations.''

Taken from an AP story.

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domenico said...
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