Pele says making world champions play qualifiers wrong (01.12.2001)
FIFA`s decision to oblige World Cup winners to qualify for the next tournament was a mistake, Brazilian football legend Pele said on Saturday.
"It took everyone a little by surprise," Pele said a day after the unexpected decision was announced by football`s world governing body.
"It (automatic qualification) was like a gift, like a present for the champion. Now the decision does not give this opportunity."
Pele said the best solution would have been to allow World Cup winning sides to decide whether they wanted to enter the qualifying
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"Some coaches say to me that when you participate in the preliminaries you have time to prepare, to train your team but some coaches do not want to play.
"So I think you should let the coaches decide, this is the best decision."
Announcing the decision, FIFA president Joseph Blatter said making the champions qualify would open up an extra slot in the finals for regional confederations.
It would also bring the World Cup into line with competitions like the European Championships and enable champions to be better prepared to defend their titles.
