A FIFA task force will suggest ways of improving soccer (football to the rest of the world) at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, AP reports.<\/p>\n
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FIFA President Sepp Blatter said Friday he wants \u201ca more attractive World Cup\u201d than he saw in South Africa. Seven of 64 matches were goalless, including six in a cautiously played opening phase.<\/p>\n
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Called \u201cTask Force Football 2014,\u201d its duties will include looking at new ways to decide group-stage matches and how games are refereed.<\/p>\n
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The panel will include members of FIFA\u2019s Football, Technical and Development, Medical and Referees committees.<\/p>\n
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Blatter said the task force will mirror one set up after the low-scoring 1990 World Cup in Italy.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIn 1990, football was not at its best level. Twenty years later we are doing it again,\u201d he said after a two-day executive committee meeting.<\/p>\n
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FIFA also wants fans to see improved ticket operations at the next World Cup. Blatter approved creating a FIFA company to have \u201cstronger control\u201d over ticketing, which was widely criticized in South Africa.<\/p>\n
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FIFA said in a statement it wants to ensure \u201cclearer allocation of tasks and decision-making power\u201d between the local organizing committee and British-based company MATCH, which had exclusive rights to distribute World Cup tickets.<\/p>\n
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Group matches were played with thousands of empty seats in most stadiums, yet FIFA and MATCH directors Jaime and Enrique Byrom failed to give detailed explanations why.<\/p>\n
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Blatter revealed he will soon check Brazil\u2019s World Cup preparations after FIFA completes investigations into alleged bribery and collusion in bidding for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIn the third week in November I will be visiting Brazil and I hope to shake hands with the newly elected president,\u201d he said. Candidates Dilma Rousseff and Jose Serra are in a vote Sunday to succeed President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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