FIFA deny placing Ghana on standby

World football governing body FIFA have said that there is no truth in reports making the rounds that Ghana have been placed on standby to host next year's FIFA Under-17 World Cup, which West African neighbours Nigeria are scheduled to host.

Reports on Wednesday stated that the FIFA inspection team were worried about the state of facilities in Nigeria and had placed Ghana on standby following their successful hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations last month.

But an email response from FIFA's Media Department to stated categorically that the issue has not even come up for discussion.

"FIFA has awarded the organisation of the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup to Nigeria and we can assure you that there have been no discussions whatsoever regarding any other possible host for that event following the designation of Nigeria," the email read in part.

The cadet tournament is scheduled to be held between October 24 and November 15 2009