U.S. SOCCER: Governing body nominated for 2003 FIFA Fair Play Award

CONCACAF has nominated U.S. Soccer for the annual FIFA Fair Play Award.

The winner will be announced Dec. 15 at the FIFA World Gala in Basel, Switzerland.

''The U.S. Soccer Federation was able to successfully organize the FIFA Women's World Cup within the limited time of four months as against the six years advance notice that is normally given to a host country,'' said CONCACAF President Jack Warner.

FIFA moved the 2003 WomenÆs World Cup from China to the United States on May 3 because of the threat of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.

In the short time frame, the organizers had to arrange a new schedule, select six venues, create a ticketing infrastructure, organize staffs in each venue and finalize marketing partnerships. Most of the event was staffed by U.S. Soccer employees and volunteers.