Australia wins major FIFA and AFC football events

Football Federation Australia has won the right to host two highly-prestigious major events in Australia in the next twelve months. FFA Chairman Frank Lowy and Chief Executive Ben Buckley announced that Sydney will host two special events in the next twelve months – the 2007 Asian Football Confederation Gala Awards in November this year, and the 2008 FIFA Congress in May 2008.

“The FIFA Congress – which is effectively international football’s “parliament” – is the largest off-field football event in the world. The vote of confidence that FIFA has shown in Sydney, to play host to in excess of 2,500 delegates and media from FIFA’s 205 member nations at such an auspicious event is really tremendous,” Lowry said.

“In addition, for Australia to be selected also to host the AFC’s showcase awards night, in the space of twelve months makes a terrific statement about our newfound place in world football, and really augers well for the future. We would like to thank FIFA and the AFC for placing their confidence in the FFA and Sydney, and the NSW Government for their continued support of football in Australia,” he added.