Developmental tournament

Confed Cup offers chance for minnows, says official

PARIS (AP) -- A Confederations Cup official defended the much-criticized soccer competition on Monday, saying it gives smaller nations the chance to grace the big stage.

"This is an event which is very important as part of the development process of the national associations and confederations," Chuck Blazer, chairman for the competition's organizing committee, told reporters in Paris.

Ahead of the Confederations Cup, which starts Wednesday, a number of coaches, including Arsenal's Arsene Wenger and Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson expressed reluctance at releasing players for the tournament -- saying their stars would return burnt out after having already completed a grueling season.

France defender Mikael Silvestre -- who plays for giants Manchester United -- openly criticized the tournament at the end of March.

"I don't think the (Confederations) cup is a good thing," Silvestre told French sports daily L'Equipe. "We did not play well in the last World Cup because we were tired physically from the previous season. We have to learn our lesson."

In 2001, France won the Confederations Cup, held in Japan and South Korea. A year later, in the 2002 World Cup, France flopped -- crashing out of the tournament in the first round. Many blamed the poor performance on exhaustion.

"No one will listen to the players' opinions anyway," Silvestre added. "We're just a bit of meat."

The tournament final is held on June 29 -- less than two weeks before most European club sides start training again for next season.

Meanwhile, FIFA President Sepp Blatter hinted that after the 2005 Confederations Cup - hosted by Germany -- the competition would change its format.

"After Germany 2005, the competition will likely be held every four years," Blatter said in an interview with French daily Le Figaro on Monday.

 

Related information

Stories

Confederations Cup 2003 Index

Multimedia

Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video