As the deadline for deciding who would host the 2002 World Cup approached, FIFA boss Joao Havelange was approaching his 80th birthday and had been head of FIFA for over 20 years. Many thought he was getting past his sell-by date. He was a man who oozed power and in truth he had done a lot for the game. But while he may have been respected, the Brazilian wasn't universally liked.
His archenemy was Swede Lennart Johansson, the head of the powerful European federation (UEFA) who was tired of seeing Europe make concessions to other federations (especially South America) and disliked Havelange running FIFA like his personal fiefdom (perhaps because he wanted to do it).
As Havelange -- a former top swimmer who once had a Japanese coach -- was firmly behind Japan's bid to host the 2002 World Cup, so it was inevitable that Johansson would find a way to upset the president's apple cart, which meant cosying up to the Korean side. It was to be a game of politics and Havelange had warned the Japanese to be careful of South Korean soccer chief Dr. Chung Mong Joon and to play the political game carefully.