Morocco's bid is better than South Africa's, former French football star

Former French football star, Jean-Pierre Papin said the 2006 World Cup should be held in Africa, and Morocco's bid is better than South Africa's.

"I chose to back Morocco, a country bound to France with privileged friendship ties," said Papin, a former European Gold Ball winner.

Morocco is campaigning against South Africa, Brazil, Germany and England to host the World Cup.

Another French star, Just Fontaine, said he supports Morocco's bid, which is unanimously backed by African nations.

Fontaine, best striker in the history of the World Cup with 13 goals, said by entitling him to defend its bid, Morocco will help him score his 14th goal. Morocco's success to host the event will be his best goal, he said.

"I spent my first twenty years in Morocco, where I coached the national team. I have to be grateful to this country that gave me too much," he said.

Fontaine was the coach of Morocco's national team in the early 1980's.