FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke addresses a media conference in Cape Town December 2, 2009, ahead of Friday's draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals. France, World Cup winners in 1998 and finalists in 2006, missed out on a place in the eight top seeds for Friday's draw, announced by FIFA on Wednesday. Valcke told a news conference the decision had been based on the world rankings and had no connection with the controversy over France's infamous "handball" goal against Ireland. Reuters Pictures logo Reuters Pictures 30 months ago

FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke addresses a media conference in Cape Town December 2, 2009, ahead of Friday's draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals. France, World Cup winners in 1998 and finalists in 2006, missed out on a place in the eight top seeds for Friday's draw, announced by FIFA on Wednesday. Valcke told a news conference the decision had been based on the world rankings and had no connection with the controversy over France's infamous "handball" goal against Ireland.

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