South America's football chief Alejandro Dominguez said FIFA should honour the legacy of Pele and Diego Maradona by awarding the centennial 2030 World Cup to the continent. The global body will be deciding on the event in 2024.
When asked about whether the ailing situation of Pele and the legacy of Argentina player Maradona can help sway the decision, Dominguez said FIFA had to choose between football and money. "The question is for FIFA - what do they plan to do with the history created by Pele and later Maradona?"
The head of CONMEBOL, the South American confederation, added that there should be less focus on money in the process. "It really should be back to the roots because football is not just about money. It should not be about the competition of who puts up the most money for a World Cup."
Referring to Pele and Maradona, he said FIFA should recognise who made this party possible. South American nation Uruguay was the host of the first World Cup.
Uruguay, which held the original 13-team World Cup in 1930, has linked up with Argentina, Chile, and Paraguay to bid for the 2030 event. Their main competitor will be the joint bid from Spain, Portugal and Ukraine backed by the European governing body UEFA. Saudi Arabia is also rumoured to launch a bid with Egypt and Greece, reported AFP.