Winnipeg Fury Posted May 27, 2004 Share Posted May 27, 2004 Canada a lock for 2007 FIFA world youth championship CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Canada is a lock to host the 2007 FIFA men's under-20 world soccer championship, according to a FIFA vice-president. "As far as I'm concerned it's almost automatic," said Jack Warner, head of the World Under-20 organizing committee, in an interview with the Toronto Star. That's good news for the CFL's Toronto Argonauts and the Canadian Soccer Association. Last week, government officials said they'll contribute $35 million toward a new $80 million stadium at the site of the old Varsity Stadium at the University of Toronto if Canada wins the right to host the tournament. RELATED: * New stadium for Argos, Canadian soccer Japan and South Korea are also bidding against Canada but Warner thinks Canada has the edge because the Under-20 tournament hasn't been held in a CONCACAF country since Mexico in 1983. "Canada is important to CONCACAF," Warner said. "Canada has consistently shown an ability to organize FIFA events in a professional manner." Canada staged the 2002 FIFA under-19 women's world soccer championship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoyleG Posted May 27, 2004 Share Posted May 27, 2004 Would anyone really trust the word of Jackass Warner? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jarrek Posted May 27, 2004 Share Posted May 27, 2004 I wouldn't be suprised if Korea and Japan get it. After all, they do have 1 billion dollar stadia. Where are we going to play? Richardson Stadium? Centennial Park? Keith Harris? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winnipeg Fury Posted May 27, 2004 Author Share Posted May 27, 2004 quote:Originally posted by Jarrek I wouldn't be suprised if Korea and Japan get it. After all, they do have 1 billion dollar stadia. Where are we going to play? Richardson Stadium? Centennial Park? Keith Harris? Toronto , Edmonton. I suspect it would accelerate the stadium in Vancouver. You would also see the use of artificial surfaces. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jarrek Posted May 27, 2004 Share Posted May 27, 2004 2007 is not that far away. If they are planning to have something ready in Vancouver they better start soon. Still, when it comes to Stadiums in General, our old outdated stadiums are really no match for Japan's or Korea's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SABuffalo786 Posted May 27, 2004 Share Posted May 27, 2004 Great! It'd be a nice after dinner mint for the 2006 WC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gian-Luca Posted May 28, 2004 Share Posted May 28, 2004 Given that rotation system, that Concacaf is well overdue, that Asia has had the tourney at least twice in recent times (Malaysia 1997 & UAE in 2003), you'd have to think that even Jack might be right this time. Do Japan & South Korea really need to co-host this kind of tournament? You'd think they could do it each on their own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winnipeg Fury Posted May 28, 2004 Author Share Posted May 28, 2004 The full text: WF Canada a lock for 2007 tourney: FIFA VP Warner says CONCACAF is due to win Varsity Stadium funds hang in balance JIM BYERS A new home for the Toronto Argonauts and Canadian soccer is all but assured, a top international soccer official promised yesterday. "As far as I'm concerned it's almost automatic," said Jack Warner, a FIFA vice-president, head of the world under-20 organizing committee and head of CONCACAF, on Canada's chances for winning the 2007 world youth championships. Government officials last week said they'll contribute $35 million toward a new $80 million stadium at the site of the old Varsity Stadium at the University of Toronto, but only if Canada wins the right to host the tournament. Those connected with the project said they're confident Canada will win, which would mean about a dozen games at the stadium. Japan and South Korea are bidding against Canada but Warner said he doesn't think they stand a chance. "I can understand they have concerns; they have 10 brand new stadiums (built for the 2002 World Cup) that cost more than $1 billion and they have to find a use for them," Warner said. "But CONCACAF hasn't had the youth championships since 1983 in Mexico, and based on the policy of rotation we're ahead of any federation." Trinidad, which is where Warner is from, had also bid to host the tournament, but withdrew at Warner's request, thus paving the way for Canada. "Canada is important to CONCACAF," he said. "Canada has consistently shown an ability to organize FIFA events in a professional manner. Nobody wanted the women's under-19 event that was held in Edmonton. But they did it professionally and made a profit, and they brought respect and international acclaim." Warner said he thinks the proposed 25,000-seat stadium will be an asset for the entire community. "I think it will be state of the art and I like the location. I like it very much. And Toronto should be in a position to host" big-time soccer matches, he said. Additional articles by Jim Byers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jarrek Posted May 28, 2004 Share Posted May 28, 2004 I don't know. Jack Warner reminds me of Don King too much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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