World Cup draw 'fix' row as stars in danger of missing out
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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.'
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wth
this blatter really gone senile