To see the FIFA delegation greeted in Sydney...

 

 

 

 

Media managers have silenced journalists from quizzing the FIFA team on the recent allegations made against Australia's bid team which were later discredited by both the Federal Government and FIFA.

Instead a prepared statement and staged photographs will be distributed through the FFA's media unit instead of any press conferences or photo opoortunities.

"FIFA have informed FFA that the FIFA Delegation visit is exclusively for the purpose of inspecting stadiums and other critical infrastructure and therefore members of the delegation will not be available for interview during their visit," said the FFA.

However the team did pose for pics in front of Sydney's Harbour Bridge as they kicked off the tour today with an Aboriginal smoke ceremony in the shadow of Sydney Opera House, joined by FFA Chairman Frank Lowy and Federal Sports Minister Kate Ellis before hearing their first detailed briefing from the FFA Bid team.

The FIFA inspection team consists of six delegates and is led by Chilean Football Federation President Harold Mayne-Nicholls and includes CEO of 2010 South Africa Local Organising Committee Danny Jordaan, FIFA Head of Event Management Jurgen Muller, FIFA Marketing representative David Fowler, FIFA Competitions representative Julio Avellar and FIFA Media Officer Wolfgang Eichler.

Australia is the third stop on tour of the nine countries that are bidding to host the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup tournaments and the inspection team will be in Australia for three days.

On arrival, Mr Mayne-Nicholls said the delegation was pleased to be in Australia and was looking forward to seeing Australia's Bid first hand.

"For us it is a real pleasure to be here in your beautiful country and we are sure that during this stay we will learn a lot about your people, your Bid book and your ability to hold big events," Mayne-Nicholls said through the FFA.

"We hope also that you will be in a position to ask us all the questions you need to resolve before we write the final report to the FIFA Executive Committee members.

"We will do our best to be as subjective as possible and record all of the questions and answers the right way.

"Thanks for a beautiful welcome and for being with us in this beautiful city."

At the end of the inspection tour, the delegation will submit a report to assist FIFA's 24 executive members select a host for the 2022 World Cup, which will be announced on December 2 in Zurich.

"We are totally focused on bringing the FIFA World Cup to Australia in 2022," said FFA Chairman, Frank Lowy.

"It is a dream, an ambition and an aspiration shared by all Australians. The inspection tour of Australia provides an opportunity to showcase our first class infrastructure and share details of our proposal for a uniquely Australian 2022 FIFA World Cup with FIFA directly.

"It is an important milestone in the bidding process and we need to ensure the inspectors can make the most of their short time here and see as much as possible without distractions."

The team will be escorted by the FFA to inspect a selection of stadiums, hotels, training grounds and other infrastructure included in Australia's bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Ten host cities are part of the bid that will see World Cup matches in six states and territories, with three new stadiums built in Perth, Canberra and Blacktown in Western Sydney, and nine others upgraded if the bid is successful.

To see the FIFA delegation greeted in Sydney...