The Olympic football competition is to retain its current under-23 status at the 2012 Games in London, FIFA have confirmed.
A working group of the world governing body had been looking into the idea of changing the system to under-21 after the bigger confederations expressed their desire for the change.
The executive committee of FIFA met at Robben Island today to discuss the issue and, addressing the media afterwards, secretary general Jerome Valcke said: "There were quite extensive discussions between the various confederations but it was decided to keep the current system.
"In some confederations, the qualification process has to start sooner, meaning very early 2010, that's why, instead of having discussions and discussions over trying to discuss what's the best, it was decided unanimously to support them for this under-23 and the current status quo.
"It's true that some confederations like UEFA and South America (CONMEBOL) said they would have prepared the other option, which was also for discussion, the under-21, but finally they understood the situation and said they will be fine with the under-23."
But Valcke did not rule out the possibility of a change in the system - which currently limits teams to players under the age of 23 as well as three overage players - for Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
He continued: "There will be a meeting in February 2010 in Zurich to discuss the period beyond 2012 but, for the time being, the decision is to stay as we are."
Today's meeting was held a day before the draw for the finals of the 2010 World Cup, to be held at Cape Town's International Convention Centre.
It will mark a significant moment in the build-up to the main event next June and there was also a noteworthy announcement regarding the increase in prize money at the finals, which will rise a massive 61%.
Four years ago in Germany, US dollars 261million was shared among the teams but the first tournament on the African continent will see USD 420million divided by the 32 nations, with the winner pocketing USD 30million, plus the USD 1million handed to all competing nations prior to the competition to aid their preparations.
Meanwhile, the executive committee also upheld their suspension of the Iraqi Football Association (IFA) by the FIFA emergency committee on November 20 due to government interference.
The executive committee of FIFA met at Robben Island today to discuss the issue and, addressing the media afterwards, secretary general Jerome Valcke said: "There were quite extensive discussions between the various confederations but it was decided to keep the current system.
"In some confederations, the qualification process has to start sooner, meaning very early 2010, that's why, instead of having discussions and discussions over trying to discuss what's the best, it was decided unanimously to support them for this under-23 and the current status quo.
"It's true that some confederations like UEFA and South America (CONMEBOL) said they would have prepared the other option, which was also for discussion, the under-21, but finally they understood the situation and said they will be fine with the under-23."
But Valcke did not rule out the possibility of a change in the system - which currently limits teams to players under the age of 23 as well as three overage players - for Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
He continued: "There will be a meeting in February 2010 in Zurich to discuss the period beyond 2012 but, for the time being, the decision is to stay as we are."
Today's meeting was held a day before the draw for the finals of the 2010 World Cup, to be held at Cape Town's International Convention Centre.
It will mark a significant moment in the build-up to the main event next June and there was also a noteworthy announcement regarding the increase in prize money at the finals, which will rise a massive 61%.
Four years ago in Germany, US dollars 261million was shared among the teams but the first tournament on the African continent will see USD 420million divided by the 32 nations, with the winner pocketing USD 30million, plus the USD 1million handed to all competing nations prior to the competition to aid their preparations.
Meanwhile, the executive committee also upheld their suspension of the Iraqi Football Association (IFA) by the FIFA emergency committee on November 20 due to government interference.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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