World Cup – Side Line

O··· Argentinean national football team’s manager Marcelo Bielsa threatened to resign unless the wage dispute with Argentine Football Association (AFA) is settled.

`News of the World` reported on the 29th that Bielsa, who has not received thousands of dollars, said in anger, “I’ll resign if AFA does not pay me the money until May 2. I’m extremely angry about the situation and I am mentally exhausted. My family had to live without a salary for seven months.” The dispute between Bielsa and AFA is caused mainly by the Argentine economic crisis, as AFA tried to pay the salary in devalued Peso and Bielsa, on the other hand, wanted to receive in dollars according to the contract 4 years ago. London AFP Association.

O···World Cup co-host Japan is in distress, because great confusion is expected if hooligans are arrested and involved in legal proceedings at each host city’s court during the World Cup. The biggest anxiety lies in cases where prosecutors must ask custody questions in rare languages. Tokyo Supreme Court, which is in charge of 3 stadiums like Nikata Stadium that will host Croatia, has not even secured a Croatian court translator.

O···French national football team’s midfielder Christian Karembeu ripped a leg muscle, jeopardizing his participation in the 2002 Korea Japan World Cup. Karembeu’s team Olympiakos (Greece) explained on the 29th, “Karembeu tackled during the previous day’s match with AEK Athens and ripped his thigh muscle.” Although detailed test results are yet to come by next week, it seems that Karembeu will not be able to play for at least 4 weeks. Athens AFP Association.

O···National soccer player Song Jong-Kuk (Pusan Icons) has been appointed as an honorary publicity ambassador of the year 2002 of Korean tourism, sponsored by Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and is to hold the ceremony on the 2nd next month, announced Song’s management agent Prime Sports International on the 29th. Reporter Bae Kuk-In. bae2150@donga.com

O···The World Cup entrance tickets, which will be sold from May 1, are to be distributed in a way that each person can buy only 4 tickets for 1 match, and maximum 6 matches can be designated.

Korean World Cup Organizing Committee announced the ticket-sales guideline containing such details on the 29th. According to the guideline, tickets can be bought through Internet (www.fifa-tickets.com) from 0 O’clock May 2, and from the 15th, tickets can also be bought at ticket centers in each host city.

buddy@donga.com