A FIFA spokesman, Keith Cooper, said a replacement would named two months later in June 1998.

"The fact that people are accused of cheating shows how interesting the draw must be," said Tognoni, the FIFA spokesman.

"We approved the change," said a FIFA spokesman, Frits Ahlstrom.

"This is a very important issue for us," said Keith Cooper, a FIFA spokesman.

A FIFA spokesman, Keith Cooper, dismissed the idea of any conspiracy among the referees and said that "no one had officially complained about the refereeing."

"There is still a lot of condescention when it comes to women's soccer, even in Europe," said Andreas Herren, a FIFA spokesman.

Guido Tognoni, a FIFA spokesman, described the losers as disappointed but not bitter.

"It's completely absurd," said a FIFA spokesman, Keith Cooper.

"I've heard a lot of stories this week," said a FIFA spokesman, Frits Ahlstrom.

Nicolas Maingot, a FIFA spokesman, said World Cup sanctions would be made public later.