World Cup draw 'fix' row as Ronaldo is in danger of
missing out
World Class: Cristiano Ronaldo could miss out on
the biggest stage
FIFA have been accused of trying to 'fix' who qualifies
for the World Cup to ensure the likes of Germany and France reach
South Africa next summer.
The Mail on Sunday has
learned that football's governing body made a U-turn on their rules
last week, with star names like Cristiano Ronaldo and Franck Ribery
in danger of missing out.
They were also anxious about the financial fall-out of Germany,
FIFA's most important TV market, not qualifying.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter announced on Tuesday the eight
second-placed teams in the European qualifying groups would be
seeded for the play-offs.
That contradicts correspondence sent by FIFA to countries a year
ago. Top countries are now guaranteed to avoid each other in the
play-offs.
One senior official at a nation in contention said: 'It is
outrageous. It is not fair to make the rules to suit certain
countries.'