<DIV align=center>CONCACAF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETS IN LOS ANGELES </DIV>
NEW YORK(Saturday, 25 November 2006) In a packed agenda at its meeting in Los Angeles, California USA, the CONCACAF Executive Committee (Exco) reached a number of important decisions in a wide range of areas on Friday.
The Exco confirmed that CONCACAF would be lobbying FIFA for four automatic spots for the FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010. During the meeting, CONCACAF General Secretary Chuck Blazer commented, "When we look at the performance of CONCACAFs fourth team in Germany 2006, Trinidad & Tobago, we see a team that not only held Sweden to a draw but was also just minutes from achieving a similar result against England. Certainly there is an excellent case that CONCACAF has the strength in depth to justify four automatic spots in the 2010 World Cup."
In other decisions, the CONCACAF Exco decided to:
require all member associations of CONCACAF, from 2007, to have a representative on their own Executive Committee responsible for the development and management of a womens football program.
mandate CONCACAFs representatives to FIFA to pursue the immediate implementation of the Referees Assistance Program (RAP), the proposed Program having previously been accepted by the FIFA Executive Committee. The RAP is aimed at increasing the quality of refereeing at all levels of football around the world by supporting a structure at the national association level to develop referees.
support a proposed bid by the Trinidad & Tobago Football Federation to host the U17 FIFA Womens World Cup in 2010.
further request that, in recognition of the increased number of mandatory events organized by Confederations, CONCACAF representatives to FIFA lobby for an increase in FIFA Assistance Program funding for the Confederations. The FAP to Confederations has not been increased for eight years although in this same period the number of events in the global football calendar has increased dramatically.
act upon, at the next Exco meeting, a proposal by the CONCACAF Secretariat to develop the CONCACAF Champions Cup™ into a larger Champions League style event, beginning in 2009.
In discussing issues affecting Member Associations of CONCACAF, the Exco decided to request the Belize FA to postpone their elections to the first week of March, allowing sufficient time for CONCACAF to ensure all statutory requirements have been met.
Following the formal business of the meeting, the CONCACAF Vice President representing North America, Mr. Alan Rothenberg, announced his decision to not seek re-election to the post when his existing term ends in 2007. CONCACAF President Jack Warner expressed his heartfelt thanks for many years of service by Mr. Rothenberg to football in the USA, throughout CONCACAF and the wider world. He then recommended that Mr. Rothenberg be nominated as a CONCACAF representative on FIFAs newly formed Committee for Fair Play and Social Responsibility. The Presidents recommendation was supported unanimously by the Executive Committee.
NEW YORK(Saturday, 25 November 2006) In a packed agenda at its meeting in Los Angeles, California USA, the CONCACAF Executive Committee (Exco) reached a number of important decisions in a wide range of areas on Friday.
The Exco confirmed that CONCACAF would be lobbying FIFA for four automatic spots for the FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010. During the meeting, CONCACAF General Secretary Chuck Blazer commented, "When we look at the performance of CONCACAFs fourth team in Germany 2006, Trinidad & Tobago, we see a team that not only held Sweden to a draw but was also just minutes from achieving a similar result against England. Certainly there is an excellent case that CONCACAF has the strength in depth to justify four automatic spots in the 2010 World Cup."
In other decisions, the CONCACAF Exco decided to:
require all member associations of CONCACAF, from 2007, to have a representative on their own Executive Committee responsible for the development and management of a womens football program.
mandate CONCACAFs representatives to FIFA to pursue the immediate implementation of the Referees Assistance Program (RAP), the proposed Program having previously been accepted by the FIFA Executive Committee. The RAP is aimed at increasing the quality of refereeing at all levels of football around the world by supporting a structure at the national association level to develop referees.
support a proposed bid by the Trinidad & Tobago Football Federation to host the U17 FIFA Womens World Cup in 2010.
further request that, in recognition of the increased number of mandatory events organized by Confederations, CONCACAF representatives to FIFA lobby for an increase in FIFA Assistance Program funding for the Confederations. The FAP to Confederations has not been increased for eight years although in this same period the number of events in the global football calendar has increased dramatically.
act upon, at the next Exco meeting, a proposal by the CONCACAF Secretariat to develop the CONCACAF Champions Cup™ into a larger Champions League style event, beginning in 2009.
In discussing issues affecting Member Associations of CONCACAF, the Exco decided to request the Belize FA to postpone their elections to the first week of March, allowing sufficient time for CONCACAF to ensure all statutory requirements have been met.
Following the formal business of the meeting, the CONCACAF Vice President representing North America, Mr. Alan Rothenberg, announced his decision to not seek re-election to the post when his existing term ends in 2007. CONCACAF President Jack Warner expressed his heartfelt thanks for many years of service by Mr. Rothenberg to football in the USA, throughout CONCACAF and the wider world. He then recommended that Mr. Rothenberg be nominated as a CONCACAF representative on FIFAs newly formed Committee for Fair Play and Social Responsibility. The Presidents recommendation was supported unanimously by the Executive Committee.
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