
FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter was joined by President of the Canadian Soccer Association and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee Colin Linford, SOS Childrens' Villages Ambassador for Canada Craig Forrest, FIFA Vice President and Chairman of the Canada 2007 Organising Committee Jack A. Warner and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Rudi Gittens. Among the topics open for discussion at the press conference were the success of the tournament in general and the regrettable incidents on and off the pitch at the Chile v. Argentina semi-final on 19 July in Toronto.
FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter
On the tournament in general
We have had a very successful competition here in
Canada. The Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) put on a wonderful
event and it is a tremendous success in terms of spectators,
excitement and enthusiasm. All of Canada has come out to support
'soccer' and it is a great thing. I give my compliments to
all involved in the organisation.
On the incidents that took place at the end of the Chile -
Argentina semi-final
I must admit that I have been happier to be in a press
conference than I am right now. We faced an unfortunate two-phase
incident at last night's semi-final between Chile and
Argentina. The first part occurred during the game and at the end
of the match and also involved the reserve bench of Chile. These
incidents are connected with the game and are regrettable, but they
happen from time to time. They will be dealt with through
FIFA's Disciplinary Committee and in the name of FIFA I regret
these incidents.
On the incidents that occurred after the Chile - Argentina
semi-final
The second part, I did not witness personally. It has
brought the local police into the equation. We will have to listen
to all parties that were involved. Such incidents are regrettable
and I apologise in the name of FIFA for what happened but we have
given the responsibility of the organisation of this tournament to
the Canadian Soccer Association and we ask them to deal with this
matter along with the relevant authorities and report the details
to FIFA.
On the fact that Sunday's third-place match and Final will
go ahead as planned
The incidents will not affect the program on Sunday - both
games will be played - first the third-place game between Austria
and Chile and then the Final between Argentina and Czech Republic.
football must go on - when we face ugliness we must overcome it
through football.
On why he thinks such incidents happened
Football is for fun. It is also a school of life, but it is
also about passion
. These two teams (Argentina and Chile) have a great
rivalry in football and sometimes the emotions can get the better
of them. Passion can cause love and poetry but it can also produce
violence on occasion. I must make clear that every other game here
in Canada went off without trouble, and this was the only incident
of this kind. But what happened after the game is a matter of
security and this is not part of football. The organisation of this
competition has been handed over to the Canadian Soccer Association
and the local authorities are responsible. This is regrettable, but
it is not the end of football. Football will be back on Sunday.
Harold Mayne-Nicholls, President of the Chilean FA
On the incidents during and after the semi-final
On behalf of the Chilean Football Association, I
apologise for the behaviour of our players after the game. We
don't support conduct like this in any way.
On the next steps to be taken
The Chilean government has filed a formal complaint to
the government of Canada and we will see what happens from there. I
will say this also: the players know they must do their best and
play the third-place match with pride.
Jack Austin Warner, FIFA Vice President
On the Tournament's general success
The Canadian organisers have done a great job and
exceeded our wildest expectations in becoming the biggest U-20
event in FIFA history. I am so proud of what has gone on here.