South America backs Brazil to host 2014 World Cup

ASUNCION, Dec 21 (Reuters) The South American Football Confederation (CSF) agreed to back Brazil's bid to host the 2014 World Cup, effectively leaving rivals Colombia on their own.

''It was decided to support Brazil to 2014, confirming what had been voted previously,'' CSF vice-president Eugenio Figueredo told reporters yesterday.

The CSF's member federations voted unanimously at a meeting three years ago to back Brazil as their only candidate to host the event, which is due to be staged in South America under FIFA's rotation system.

The Colombian federation confirmed this week, however, that it would also bid for the tournament.

FIFA said that Brazil and Colombia were the only countries to inform them officially of their bids before the Dec. 18 deadline.

The 2014 World Cup is due to be staged in South America under FIFA's rotation system. The 2010 tournament takes place in South Africa.

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