Blatter says Australia lack professionalism

Fifa chief Sepp Blatter says Australian soccer lacks the professionalism to host the 2014 World Cup.

His comments were backed by senior Australian soccer officials and Prime Minister John Howard.

The PM criticised the timing of the bid announced by state government officials on Sunday as a political stunt.

Blatter said the success of the 2000 Olympic Games proved Australia was capable of hosting a major international sporting event.

However, he said Soccer Australia has a lot of work to do before it can convince the sport's international governing body that the southern continent was a viable place to host a World Cup.

"You need continuity, stability and to establish football in Australian society . . . and to have a strong professional league," Blatter said.

"There's a long way to go, and it's going to be hard work."

Blatter, who met earlier Monday with Howard, also said that no bid from Australia would be accepted without the backing of its federal government.

Howard said the federal government would help Soccer Australia promote the sport locally, but he was unsure if it was in a position to host the World Cup.

"We have to sort of crawl before we walk in relation to things like international bids," Howard said.

"We'll help ... because I think this sport's got tremendous grass-roots momentum in Australia."