5. FIFA: Concacaf and South America to clash in World Cup qualifying; Warner escapes disciplinary action

In qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, the fifth-place South American country will face the fourth-place nation from Concacaf, FIFA has decided.

Last time around, Australia (Oceania) beat Uruguay (South America), and Trinidad & Tobago (Concacaf) beat Bahrain (Asia) in playoffs to qualify for the 2006 World Cup.

Also during FIFA’s executive committee meeting, President Sepp Blatter reiterated his concern about the progress of stadium construction for the 2010 World Cup, while also expressing “confidence in South Africa.”

And FIFA cleared Concacaf president and FIFA vice president Jack Warner of selling thousands of tickets at inflated prices during the 2006 World Cup.

“The committee expressed its disapproval … drawing attention to the fact that Mr. Warner should be more cautious and prudent,” said Blatter.

Disciplinary committee chairman Marcel Mathier said there was “no concrete evidence” that Warner was aware of the resale of World Cup tickets by his son, Daryan Warner, through Jack Warner’s former travel company Simpaul.

In another decision, FIFA rejected the British colony of Gibraltar’s application from to become a member.