Ahli's request to host the 2007 Club World Cup (CWC) in Cairo was turned down by FIFA, club board member Khaled Mortagi said on Monday. The African champions filed a request to FIFA to approve hosting the next edition of the CWC as part of the club's centurial celebrations, Mortagi told a press conference in Ahli's headquarters. Mortagi said that FIFA turned down Ahli's request because main sponsors 'Toyota' have asked that the competition be played in Japan until 2010. Mortagi, who was part of Ahli's delegation to attend the organization meetings for the CWC in FIFA's headquarters, updated reporters on the progress in Zurich. "FIFA will host all six teams in Japan starting December 5th and up to a day after their respective matches end," he said. "Each delegation will include 35 people, 23 players and 12 staff members and club personnel.
"There will also be a seminar on December 7th to explain the rules and regulations for all the participating players," Mortagi added. Meanwhile, assistant coach Hossam Al-Badri said that Ahli's potential squad list that was sent to FIFA had 30 names, including youth team players Haytham Al-Fezani, Tarek Saad and Ahmed Shedid. He also said that the team is planning an exhibition game in Japan, probably on December 6th, to prepare the players for the competition. Al-Badri went on to explain to FilGoal.com that FIFA had asked the club to make some alterations in their kit for the competition in terms of sponsors and material. When asked whether Ahli's officials had any contact with other team delegations, l-Badri said: "Yes, we had extensive talks with Barcelona's officials." "We discussed the possibility of future cooperation between our two clubs, which could begin as early as next summer," he added. Ahli begin their CWC campaign by facing Auckland City of New Zealand in Toyota city on December 10th.
