South Africa is due to host the next FIFA World Cup in 2010. But the question is, will they be ready?
According to a recent statement made by FIFA president, Sepp Blatter, there is a “plan B” in place should the Southern African nation fail to be able to host the world tournament.
But Blatter failed to elaborate on the circumstances for which South Africa’s inability to host the Cup rests.
This prompted a statement from FIFA secretary-general, Jerome Valcke, who held a meeting with the 2010 Local Organising Committee Board in Johannesburg last Tuesday.
“All the deadlines we set have been reached and met,” he said. “We are confident that South Africa will be ready to host a hugely successful event in 2010.”
“Only a (natural) catastrophe would prevent South Africa hosting the 2010 spectacle.”
But as Valcke shunned off claims South Africa wouldn’t be ready, LOC chairman Irvin Khoza confirmed reports that one of the ten proposed stadia would not be ready for the 2009 Confederations Cup, which many see as a dress-rehearsal for the World Cup.
I have lived in Johannesburg for five years and consider it my second home to Australia. But South Africa has a huge ‘to do’ list before the tournament commences in June, 2010.
Besides completing six new stadia, and tackling crime and corruption, the construction teams have yet to finish the proposed railway system, Gautrain, which has recently been halted because underground construction on the project caused a major road to collapse.
So if you’re wondering whether South Africa will pull it off, take a number and join the queue.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Joe FC Right you are - my apologies - I sort of stopped at: "Never before has any FIFA president raised the spectre..." and thought, oh, I better mention Colombia!
Joe FC
Guest
Pippinu I was already aware of the move from Colombia to Mexico - see my post. In this case it was Colombia who voluntarily withdrew. Notwithstanding the circumstances in the leadup to the 1986 WC, 24yrs on the event & accompanying scenario are very different. A late switch for 1986 could not be repeated for 2010. The issue is more with Blatter's comments, what he meant & whether he should have said them. I stand by my original statement.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Joe FC In fact the WC host nation has been moved at short notice on at least one other occasion in living memory. Following Italy's sensational victory in 1982, Colombia was locked in as the host nation for the 1986 WC. History now records that officialdom rightly viewed it as too dangerous a proposition, and the event was given to Mexico with less than two years to prepare. It was a wise choice because not only had they hosted one of the best ever WCs in 1970, they also hosted a youth WC in 1983. In short, there is a precedent for this sort of thing and at the end of the day FIFA has to weigh up a number of factors, including the importance and the credibility of the event itself.
Millster
Guest
"I expect a terrific Football World Cup in 2012"... haha Spiro, was that deliberate? More seriously I'll be there. What an awesome trip... a few games of WC football, and then the opportunity to explore what for me is a new continent. My better half and I are already talking of how best to meander from the WC up and across to Morocco with about 3 weeks in between.
True Tah
Guest
Aside from Midfielder and Ben from PP, are many of you guys intending to go trekking in 2010?
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
I'm expecting it to happen and will be there. Should be a blast.
midfielder
Guest
Its to close now, if they were not going to hold it elsewhere they would have arranged it before. So its going to SA come hell or high water ....... me I think I will go assuming we make it.
Spiro Zavos
Expert
The 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa was a brilliantly-run event. All big events come in for criticism before the actual starting date. I expect a terrific Football World Cup in 2012, in the tradition of the RWC success.
True Tah
Guest
Joe FC I agree that the whole concept of a Plan B smacks of insult to South Africa. I don't know if Sepp Blatter is European, but a lot of Europeans seem to exhibit this sort of attitude to SA getting the WC. Personally, I think the South African tournament will probably be one of the best ever - I would much rather head to Africa to a holiday than Europe. Re: all the issues with crime, if soccer tourists are willing to behave and act properly, then it wont be an issue. If you want to be a drunken yobbo and travel just to cause trouble (which some European knobs seem to love doing), then you might find yourself in a shallow grave on the highveld. Might not be such a bad thing. I know some of the posters on here are thinking of heading over - I would definitely encourage you guys.
Mohammed
Guest
Joe, Thanks for your comments. I agree that Sepp's words would be taken as an insult - but the strange thing is that he has, until that statement, been supporting South Africa quite extensively. I think his comments were made to indirectly tell the SA government to get their act together without giving too much info to the public - That, from my perspective, didn't work.
Joe FC
Guest
Mohammed I think Sepp's "plan B" comments were an insult to Africans generally & Sth Africans specifically. Never before has any FIFA president raised the spectre of moving the WC. Blatter's remarks are ludicrous. With only 2 years to go the WC will be staged in SA rain, hail or shine. If the transport system is unfinished then fans will just have to cope. The 1986 Mexico WC was originally sheduled to be held in Colombia but they withdrew for financial reasons in 1983. Talk of forcefully removing the finals from SA smacks of paternalism. At this late stage where would it go? How successfully organised the finals will be run is another question that can only be answered at the tournament's conclusion. So if you're still in Joburg in 2 years time Mohammed get to a game, hopefully to watch Australia.