Japan Fights for World Cup Title Name ChangeJapan is fighting for a change in the title name of the 2002 World Cup finals because FIFA put South Korea ahead of them when they announced the joint Asian co-hosts in April 1996.World governing body FIFA's general-secretary Michel Zen-Ruffinen said on Tuesday he hoped he had found a solution. Zen-Ruffinen said his idea -- believed to be a suggestion that Japan's name be put first in the Japanese language -- was being considered by the Japanese and a decision would be made in due course. Officially, the next finals tournament will be called 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan following a decision taken by world soccer's governing body in 1996. But Zen-Ruffinen said he understood Japan's feelings of disappointment wich were discussed during a six-hour meeting in Cannes on Monday with the general secretaries of the Korean and Japanese organising committees. Japan had hoped to be the sole hosts of the World Cup finals and were upset, at first, when it was announced that they would be co-hosting with South Korea. |
| People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/ |