2006 World Cup: Benhima Denies Allegations on Morocco's Pullout

Morocco-2006 Promotion Committee acting president Driss Benhima denied he ever said the kingdom would step aside should the African Football Confederation (CAF) elect to back South-Africa, the other African contender for the honor to host the World Cup of 2006.

Benhima told MAP his words have been distorted adding that though a single bid would upgrade the continent's odds, FIFA procedures do not say whether CAF has to decide which is the best bid.

The issue now, he went on, is to find a transparent and democratic selection process that is acceptable to Morocco and South-Africa. CAF has to move fast and make a decision in the few coming weeks to beat disinformation which does not help the African case, he said.