By BBC Sport's Nigel Adderley Friday, 24 May, 2002, 09:51 GMT 10:51 UK
The frenzied reaction of the Korean media at Sepp Blatter's dawn arrival here at Seoul's Incheon airport was a strong indication of what the World Cup means to this country.
The local press corps obliterated everything in its path - the local security forces and a one-man protest against the treatment of North Korean refugees - in an effort to get the first comment from the Fifa president.
But the most powerful figure in world football outlined his fears to BBC Sport Online that the tournament could be spoiled because its star players are too tired.
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David Beckham and Thierry Henry are just two potential world beaters currently nursing injuries.
And their fitness concerns have been worsened by their heavy domestic work-loads, according to the Fifa president.
"There is too much football," Blatter told BBC Sport Online. "Players should not be playing 60 or 70 games a season in leagues with overloaded schedules. They will do their best in the World Cup but they are tired. Those who are injured have been given no time to get fit and relax to prepare for the biggest matches in their careers.
| Long season took its toll on Beckham |
"The leagues must start to cut down the numbers of matches played to help us retain the entertainment of the biggest sporting event on earth."
The Fifa chief also urged the tournament referees to clamp down hard on those players who deliberately go out to injure opponents.
"The referees are there to protect the players and the spectacle," he added. It's a heavy responsibility but I'm sure we have the right men to enforce the laws of the game."
Past World Cups have tended to begin with a spate of red and yellow cards as officials took an over-zealous interpretation of the rules. Brazil have even gone as far as preparing for this tournament by playing with 10 men should the almost inevitable sendings-off come.
But Mr Blatter believes football's dark arts must not be allowed to flourish. "In most of the big teams we are missing the creative players because they targets for foul play," said Blatter. "I can never understand why this happens - in other walks of life artists don't go out to hurt each other. I can only ask for fair play - we must ensure this World Cup provides the best football possible."
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