World Cup draw's rumour-mill hits peak production

Saturday's draw for the 2002 World Cup finals in Pusan is beset by rumours of deals done behind the scenes to suit some of the 32 competitors.

FIFA general secretary said yesterday that Saturday's draw in the South Korean port city will be "pure" but many camps are certain of favourable outcomes.

FIFA have already confirmed China (in group A, B or C) and Saudi Arabia in Group E, F or G) will be based in South Korea where France also expect to be based with Brazil certain that they are to be booked into Japan.

Italy and Spain are certain they will be drawn to play in Japan leaving Germany and Argentina of the top seeds in South Korea.

Germany and England have shown intense interest in South Korean bases for their squads with England taking up mass bookings at Jeju Island but FIFA have denied that their hooligan fan problems means the England have been singled out for an island locale.

"We will not be putting England anywhere specific," said Zen-Ruffinen. " I don't think a small group of English hooligans can create a serious problem."

But England have beaten Germany to book up the island's Paradise Hotel with the English FA also booking rooms on a Japanese island in case the draw takes an unexpected turn.

The Organising Committee of the tournament met yesterday to decide the final format for the draw.

Eleven European teams now go into Pot 2 with the first eight drawn from this section going across Groups A to H on Saturday.

The three remaining European sides will go into Pot 3 with Paraguay, Saudi Arabia, Ecuador, China and Uruguay.

In Pot 1:

France in Group A, Japan in group H and South Korea in group D and then Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Italy and Spain.

In POT 2:

Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, England, Ireland, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovenia, Sweden, Turkey.

In Pot 3: Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay, China and Saudi Arabia with three European sides to be determined by the draw.

In Pot 4:

Cameroon, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia , Costa Rica, Mexico and the United States.