South Africa withdraws World Cup law-suit

The South African Football Association has announced that it is abandoning its attempt to have reversed last month's vote awarding the 2006 World Cup to Germany.

The Association's Vice-President, Irvin Khoza, said he had been ready to start legal action in Switzerland today but had decided to back down on advice from other African football officials.

He said yesterday's decision by FIFA to institute a system of rotating future World Cups among the six continental federations vindicated South Africa's position.

Mr Khoza welcomed the promise to hold the 2010 World Cup in Africa and predicted South Africa would be chosen as host.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service