FIFA's Blatter pledges more help for Iraq

IRAKLION, Greece (AP) -- FIFA president Sepp Blatter said Saturday the world soccer body will offer more help to the Iraqi soccer program, which has been one of the unexpected success stories of the Olympic tournament.

Speaking before Iraq's 1-0 quarterfinal victory over Australia, Blatter said FIFA will help build a new training center for the Iraqi national team. FIFA previously earmarked $400,000 to rebuild the Iraqi soccer federation's headquarters, which was destroyed during the war.

"Iraq will receive special help from FIFA," Blatter said. "They need it. They merit it."

Blatter also defended his support for Iraqi soccer federation president Hussain Saeed Mohamed, who held a lower position in the federation under deposed president Saddam Hussein.

"We helped him to take the leadership of the federation despite an opposition inside the country," Blatter said. "He was a footballer. He is a footballer. We trust him. And we forget what has happened with the politics in Iraq. We are going forward. ... Football can be one of the tools for peace, not only in his country but all around the world."

Blatter again said he was disappointed by the low attendance at soccer games during the Olympics. Some games have attracted fewer than 2,000 spectators to stadiums that were completely renovated specifically for the tournament. Blatter said it was some consolation that many venues have had small crowds.

This is not a problem for football," he said. "This is a problem for the organizers."

Blatter predicted that all soccer games at the 2008 Olympics in China would be sellouts, in part because of that country's large population.

Blatter also said the women's format for these Olympics -- with 10 teams split unevenly into three groups -- was "not good." FIFA wanted 12 women's teams, but the IOC only allowed a jump from eight in Sydney to 10 this time. Blatter said he has been assured there will be 12 at the next Olympics.

Blatter also was asked if Greece could be a host for the European Championship, given the money the country has invested in its stadiums.

"Any country that can organize the Olympic Games can also organize the European football championships," he said.