Ireland avoid under-20 elite

The Republic of Ireland will face Australia, Saudi Arabia and Mexico in Group C of next month's under-20 soccer World Cup in Nigeria with Ibadan named as the group's host city. The draw for the final stages took place in Abuja last night and divided the 24 competing teams into six groups over eight separate playing venues.

There was no seeding for the championship, which runs from April 3rd to 24th, although Ireland were separated from the other five European countries. Ibadan, situated in the south west of the country, was one of the eight possible venues with a similar open draw selection.

Irish manager Brian Kerr pronounced himself reasonably happy last night. "I'm glad we avoided the strong South American sides as well as the host nation," he said.

"All three teams are new to us in that we haven't played them in competition before, although we did draw with Saudi Arabia in a friendly. Mexico are obviously a strong nation as well but I don't know a whole lot about the side at this level. Australia are a decent side as well."

The host nation, Nigeria, were drawn against Costa Rica, Germany and Paraguay. Argentina, looking for a third title in a row, face Ghana, Croatia and Kazakhstan.

Meanwhile, FIFA have stepped up their warnings to clubs who are refusing to release their players for the 21-day tournament. Yesterday morning the FAI received a statement from FIFA in which the world governing body outlined its concerns over the attitude of several clubs on releasing players summoned for national teams and the claims that no assurances have been given for their health care.

The statement outlined Article 38 in FIFA's regulations governing the status and transfer of players, which stipulates "mandatory release of players for matches in all of FIFA's final competitions". It also outlines "the period of release includes a span of 14 days to allow for preparation." Article 43 provides sanctions to which a club is liable it if refuses to release a player in spite of the obligations mentioned (fines, cautions, even the club's suspension).

It was also requested that all FIFA correspondence on the subject of health and medical care, which promises every precaution on players' and officials' health, be sent to each club.

The FAI's chief executive Bernard O'Byrne welcomed FIFA's "strong stance on this issue".

World Cup Draw

Group A (playing in Lagos): Nigeria, Costa Rica, Germany, Paraguay.

Group B (in Kaduna): Ghana, Croatia, Argentina, Kazakhstan.

Group C (in Ibadan): Australia, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Ireland.

Group D (in Enugu): Uruguay, Mali, Korea, Portugal.

Group E (in Kano and Bauchi): Cameroon, Japan, England, United States.

Group F (in Port Harcourt and Calabar): Zambia, Honduras, Spain, Brazil.