FIFA defends seedings decision

FIFA last night insisted it would have been unfair on England if France had been made one of the top seeds for the World Cup – but insisted they were not being punished for Thierry Henry’s handball.

Being seeded has given England’s World Cup hopes a major boost as Fabio Capello’s side will avoid hosts South Africa and footballing giants Brazil, Spain, Holland, Italy, Germany and Argentina in the group stage.

FIFA’s World Cup organising committee broke with tradition by announcing the seeds would be based solely on October’s world rankings, with no account taken of past performances in recent finals.