FIFA President Sepp Blatter believes the race to host Africa's first soccer World Cup in 2010 could be as tight as four years ago when Germany pipped South Africa by one vote for the 2006 tournament.
Blatter told reporters in South Africa, which is hoping for better luck this time around when FIFA executives vote on May 15, he hoped he would not have to make a casting vote.
"If you are listening around the world then you can imagine that it will be possibly as tight as it was in 2000 ... for the decision of 2006," Blatter told a news conference on Monday.
"You know that in the case of a (tied) vote the president of FIFA has to cast (the vote). I hope I will not be in that position," he said.
South Africa is a favourite to clinch the bid, but faces strong competition from Morocco, which is making a fourth attempt to host the World Cup. Egypt, Tunisia and Libya are also bidding, but the latter two have seriously damaged their chances by suggesting a co-hosted event despite Blatter's disapproval.
Blatter and other FIFA executives are in South Africa for Tuesday's inauguration of President Thabo Mbeki's second term and massive celebrations marking a decade since the country's first free elections that ended apartheid rule.
Blatter was due to meet Mbeki for private talks later on Monday but insisted he was not favouring any bid.
"Don't ask me where or who is my favourite -- understand that I am neutral," the Swiss said.
MORE TRANSPARENT
South Africa has long cried foul over the vote four years ago which Germany unexpectedly won by one vote after Oceania delegate Charles Dempsey defied instructions and abstained.
Blatter said FIFA was trying to be more transparent, by drawing up an ethical code and publishing the expert team's reports on the bids over the Internet in early May.
Asked whether all the bidding teams were playing fair this time he declined to comment in any detail.
"We are not the police," he said. "It is not for me now to analyse the situation. Where there are no complaints we are not going to intervene."
South Africa has left little to chance and anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela is expected to fly to Zurich for the FIFA vote on May 15.
But on the pitch things have been less well orchestrated, especially at this year's African Cup of Nations in Tunisia, when the South African team skulked home after the first round -- their worst performance ever.
Blatter acknowledged the team's poor display, simply wishing them better luck for the 2006 tournament in Egypt, which will also serve as the qualifying event for that year's World Cup.
"I am sure that your team will do better," he said.
Blatter refused to be drawn on whether security worries would count against the bids from the mainly Muslim North African countries. Fifteen Moroccans are under arrest in Spain on suspicion of taking part in last month's train bombings in Madrid.
"When I am looking here around this room today I can say 'Here is the real Africa'," Blatter said. "Because Africa is a continent with different cultures, different religions, different races, and here you can find everything."
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