FIFA Boss Responds To Appiah, Essien

Ghana internationals Stephen Appiah and Michael Essien were among a worldwide selected list of 24 players that interacted with Fifa President Sepp Blatter concerning the game. Both players became part of the maiden session on Monday organised by Fifa in conjunction with World Players Union (FifPro), the worldwide representative organization for all professional players. Four other African players - Drogba, Kanoute, Eto and Aruna Dindane also asked questions. Blatter fielded questions on a range of issues as diverse as African football, doping and the 6+5 rule. Appiah, after Brazil's Robinho, took the stage to question Blatter about the support Fifa would give an Africa nation that desires to host the World Cup after South Africa in 2010. Then, Essien drew a lengthy response as Blatter allowed Fifa General Secretary to answer when the Ghana player quizzed him on the 6+5 rule which limits the number of foreign players in European leagues. Questions by Appiah and Essien and the responses Stephen Appiah (Ghana midfielder) �Will FIFA give African countries wishing to host the World Cup in the future the same support it gave to South Africa?� Blatter: �Of course. There have already been some excellent African bids to host the World Cup. Morocco have put in several and came very close to getting it, particularly the last time. Egypt also had a very good bid then, while the joint bid made by Tunisia and Libya was not far behind it and Nigeria put themselves forward too. I have no doubt about Africa�s ability to organise an event like this, another World Cup, but I think we should let the first one take place first of all.�