Argentina coach firmly rejects World Cup draw was fixed

December 4, 2001

BUENOS AIRES, Dec 4 (AFP) -- Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa firmly rejected a question at a press conference here on Tuesday suggesting the 2002 World Cup draw in Pusan, South Korea, might have been fixed.

Bielsa admitted fate had done World Cup favourites Argentina no favours with England, Nigeria and Sweden as their first round group rivals, but said it was ridiculous not to accept the draw.

"It would be absurd not to accept our destiny in a draw which admittedly did us no favours," Bielsa said.

"Equally, however, I would prefer teams who take the initiative to Argentina rather than sit back and adopt a defensive stance."

Bielsa, visibly annoyed, added: "There is no solid reason to suspect any irregularities in the draw and there were no grounds for that question being asked."