FIFA to find new World Cup venue

This year's FIFA Women's World Cup will be moved from China on medical advice because of the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in the country.

New venue
FIFA made the decision today, a statement saying: "The FIFA Sports Medical Committee had advised against holding the world championship in China." The tournament was due to take place from 23 September to 11 October. A new venue will be announced within a few weeks, FIFA said, with the United States and Australia both expressing an interest.

Five European teams
FIFA's Sports Medical Committee consulted experts from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and specialists from universities in Europe who advised against holding the event in China. They met to discuss the situation last Wednesday and the FIFA Executive Committee, chaired by president Joseph S. Blatter, decided at a meeting on Saturday to move the tournament. Five European nations will compete in the event - Germany, Norway, Russia, Sweden and France.

Future event
The Chinese government said on Saturday 190 people had died from SARS and 3,971 had been infected by the disease. FIFA said the 2007 Women's World Cup would be awarded to China.