FIFA President urges Asia to push for more World Cup entriesMay 3, 2013 - 11:28 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - FIFA President Sepp Blatter has urged Asian football to push for more World Cup entries, at the expense of Europe and South America, AP reported. Blatter said Friday, that "we have to have a better balance" because the two most powerful continents could have 19 of the 32 teams in Brazil next year. "You are a powerhouse, you must be aware of our powerhouse," the FIFA boss told the 46 Asian Football Confederation member federations at their annual meeting. Asian teams fight over just four guaranteed World Cup berths, with a fifth available in an intercontinental playoff. For 2014, the playoff will be against a South American team. Blatter says reorganizing the "geopolitical and democratic side" of FIFA should be the last phase of his reform program until 2015, when the next FIFA election is scheduled. He has recently backed away from a 2011 promise that his current four-year mandate is his last. Top stories Armenian gymnast, Olympic bronze medalist Artur Davtyan has reached the finals of the World Cup. Gor Manvelyan has denied reports alleging that he has expressed a desire to one day play for the French national team. Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not considering FC Spartak Moscow as his next haven, according to fresh reports. 10 Armenian lifters will compete in the 2021 World Championships scheduled to be held from 7 to 17 December in Tashkent. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |