Wellington--The corruption scandal engulfing FIFA will not overshadow the Under-20 World Cup when it kicks off this weekend in New Zealand, organisers said Thursday.
The tournament's organising committee chairman, FIFA vice-president Jeffrey Webb, was among seven people arrested in raids on a Zurich hotel Wednesday.
FIFA subsequently suspended Webb from all football-related activity as it grapples with a crisis that has rocked the sport's governing body.
New Zealand Football chief executive Andy Martin acknowledged the situation facing FIFA was "very serious" but denied it would detract from an event that has been four years in the planning.
"(We) remain focused on delivering a great FIFA U-20 World Cup, starting on Saturday," he said in a statement. "We do not anticipate that these events will impact on the tournament.
"The event venues, staff and volunteers have been working hard and are ready to stage the biggest football event this country has ever seen."
The 24-nation youth tournament, played every two years, is the footballing world's chance to unearth the game's next global superstar.
It has previously served as a career launching pad for legends such as Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, and Marco van Basten.
AFP
