FIFA Exec Chuck Blazer Upset With Allocation Of Slots For World Cup Qualifying

Thursday, FIFA’s executive committee decided to keep the allocation of 2014 World Cup qualifying slots per continent the same as in the previous two tournaments.

Committee member and CONCACAF general secretary Chuck Blazer expressed displeasure at what he perceives as a jip of his region.

“Really not happy with today’s FIFA Exco meeting,” Blazer said on his Twitter page. “Everyone protects their own interests rather than doing what’s right. Convenient decisions.

“In 1990, Africa, Asia & CONCACAF [had] 2 [qualifying slots] each. In 2010, Africa [got] 6 and only Ghana advance[d] in Africa. Why do they have 5 and we 3.5? We advanced 67%.”

Europe still hauls in the most slots at 13.0. Africa has the second most, at 5.0, with Asia and South America only half a slot behind, on 4.5. (South America will also have an automatic slot of Brazil, the host in 2014, bringing its total up to 5.5.)

Blazer’s contention is that Africa, which only had one representative qualify for the knockout rounds despite hosting in 2010, shouldn’t have more places as North & Central America, or at least not a full 1.5 slots more. Both Mexico and the United States (which eventually lost out to Ghana) bowed out in the Round of 16 in South Africa.

The only continent with less qualifying spots than North & Central America is Oceana, with 0.5.