FIFA's future stars shake off stench of controversy

WELLINGTON, Bribery scandals, arrests and a tempestuous presidential election that demonstrated a growing split within FIFA were put to the side on Saturday as the next generation of soccer's leading lights began the under-20 World Cup in New Zealand.

More than 25,000 people in Auckland cast aside concerns of the controversy in Zurich, where FIFA was thrown into turmoil after seven leading executives were arrested earlier this week on bribery charges, to produce a sell-out for the opening game.