World Cup organisers insisted today the draw for next year's tournament will go ahead as planned on December 1st despite reports it could be postponed because of the US air strikes in Afghanistan.
South Korean authorities also announced that military and police commandos will form security teams to protect the football finals, which are being co-hosted by Japan, and the Asian Games which will also be in Korea next year.
Japanese media reports said the World Cup draw, scheduled to be held in the city of Pusan on December 1st, could be called off because of the international terrorist crisis.
But Moon Dong-Hoo, secretary-general of the Korea World Cup Organizing Committee (KOWOC), said there would be no change to the schedule of events.
"Some World Cup preliminary games are still to be played in Asia, but none of those countries affected by the military action have qualified for the finals," Moon said.
"Therefore it is not proper to raise questions over the World Cup schedule at this time," he said.
KOWOC also released a statement reaffirming preparations for the draw for the eight groups for the World Cup.
"The final draw event for the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan will be held in Pusan, Korea's second largest city, on Saturday, December 1st," KOWOC said in the statement.
AFP
