Soccer: Blatter calls TV crisis meeting

Fifa supremo Sepp Blatter has called an emergency meeting to discuss the World Cup broadcasting rights.

The coverage for the next two World Cup tournaments has been thrown into doubt as owners ISL Worldwide are facing liquidation.

ISL, the sports marketing and media giants, are fighting to delay bankruptcy proceedings in a Swiss court.

And Fifa are looking to draw up contingency plans if ISL's multi-million pound deal which covers the rights to the 2002 and 2006 tournaments collapses.

The committee will meet at Fifa House in Zurich on Wednesday and will be headed by Blatter.

Last Thursday, ISL's request to have bankruptcy proceedings delayed was denied by a Swiss judge.

He gave the company 10 days to file a fresh appeal, which they did.

ISMM Group said in a statement: "The court's decision is subject to appeal and ISMM will lodge an appeal immediately.

"The ISMM management firmly believes the future of the Group can be secured and will make everything possible to achieve this objective."

Fifa said: "The emergency committee will deal with the situation regarding Fifa's marketing and television partner, ISMM the parent company of ISL and its current difficulties.

"Fifa is preparing a series of measures which will be implemented once the final legal verdict has been given."

One possibility is for Fifa to reopen the bidding process.