FIFA president Sepp Blatter admitted that the World Cup 2010 play-off seedings could have been handled better. The seeding had been criticized especially by the Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni.

Blatter told Gazzetta dello Sport:

“We should have announced it from the start.”

“There is something in the rules, but it isn’t clear. If we learn, we’ll change for 2014, but in 180 minutes anything is possible. There are all the best teams (at the World Cup), if someone has missed out it is because they haven’t deserved it.”

Blatter will stand for re-election in 2011, he said:

“I have not yet achieved my mission in football.”