About the 1998 World Cup Draw
Less than a month before the start of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, French football legend Michel Platini admitted that an "arrangement" in the draw for the 1998 World Cup ensured that his home country would not face Brazil until the final, which they won in Paris.
However, Joseph Blatter, who as the then General Secretary of FIFA oversaw the draw held in Marseille in December 1997, stated that it was not the case.
Almost 20 years after France hosted and became World Champions, the two officials who were in charge of the organization provided different versions on Friday regarding whether Les Bleus were favored by a rigged draw to avoid facing the reigning champions Brazil as much as possible.
"When we created the schedule, we made a little trick," said Platini, who presided over the organizing committee for several years, to the radio station France Bleu.
Platini mentioned that he ensured that France and Brazil would be in opposite groups in the second phase of the tournament if each one won their group.
As the champions of the 1994 tournament, the Brazilian national team was the top seed before the draw and was assigned to Group A, while France was placed in Group C. Both teams reached the final and France won 3-0.
Blatter, however, explained on Friday that FIFA had set up the draw like this before and after 1998, leaving open the possibility of a dream final between the host nation and the defending champion.
"This is absolutely normal," said Blatter to The Associated Press in a phone interview, recalling the fifth and final World Cup he organized as the FIFA's top administrator before winning the presidency.
"I am very surprised that Platini comes out and says this. It was not a maneuver," said Blatter, using the French word that Platini used, which can imply corruption. "There is nothing strange."
Platini's statement on Friday, insinuating his involvement in manipulation, was surprising after nearly three years in which he has been trying to defend his name against allegations of financial irregularities.
Blatter told AP that the French press reacted astonished on Friday to what Platini said. "Why come out and say this now?". (D)