WC 2010 South Africa - looming disaster?

spockety

I'm sure anyone who doesn't live under a rock has seen the images coming out of South Africa at the moment. The place seems to have gone into meltdown with violence against immigrants spreading right into the normally 'safest parts' like central Johannesburg etc.

Does anyone think FIFA have made a blunder in thinking that Africa was ready for a world cup?

Granted there are 2 years left, but in terms of international affairs and crisis' , this isn't really a long time, and the current violence could get a lot worse before it gets better.

So, what do you reckon.. if it's like this in 2 years and Ireland have qualified, would you think twice before heading down?

mike65

I'm willing to speculate the WC2010 will not take place in SA.

Mike.

_blank_

Who are the standby?

LostinBlanch

They'll look for whoever pays the most money!

Violence and crime worries aside, South Africa has major problems with infrastructure at the moment. There are problems with electricity generation with the system being run down by all accounts; and the reaction of the government leaves a lot to be desired. The minister in charge apparently told people to save electricity by staying in bed longer!

_blank_

LostinBlanch wrote: »

The minister in charge apparently told people to save electricity by staying in bed longer!

and wtf is wrong with that?:D

Genius idea. One I'm willing to implement too, not only in SA, but here too.

A brilliant way to lessen one's carbon footprint.

20 Times 20 Times

mike65 wrote: »

I'm willing to speculate the WC2010 will not take place in SA.

Mike.

I fully agree with you on this . However I was led to believe that the last FIFA inspection was done in December and was approved.

DesF wrote: »

Who are the standby?

DesF , wait for it !!! yes we used our visas too early. Australia.

_blank_

DundalkStephen wrote: »

DesF , wait for it !!! yes we used our visas too early. Australia.

Dammit.

Fúck sake though, playing a WC in a country that big is bad news imo, they only have, what, six viable cities?

20 Times 20 Times

DesF wrote: »

Dammit.

Fúck sake though, playing a WC in a country that big is bad news imo, they only have, what, six viable cities?

I hope its not too early in the morning and that I actually sense some sarcasm in your post before I jump down your throat with my ultra effective defence mechanism .

_blank_

DundalkStephen wrote: »

I hope its not too early in the morning and that I actually sense some sarcasm in your post before I jump down your throat with my ultra effective defence mechanism .

What?

Darwin, Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Canberra (ok, 7).

And they are thousands of miles apart.

Maybe we could have a few games in Alice?

beerbaron

DundalkStephen wrote: »

the last FIFA inspection was done in December and was approved.

They must have power to veto this.

SA is one of the most dangerous countries in the world and has been a powderkeg waiting to go off.

FIFA may well give way to pressure from the sponsors on this one.

_blank_

beerbaron wrote: »

They must have power to veto this.

SA is one of the most dangerous countries in the world and has been a powderkeg waiting to go off.

FIFA may well give way to pressure from the sponsors on this one.

SA will go like Zimbabwe prety soon.

And it's not just Black v White, there is terrible Black on Black violence too.

I work with a (White) Saffie, and he is constantly worried about his family and friends in Cape Town.

20 Times 20 Times

DesF wrote: »

What?

Darwin, Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Canberra (ok, 7).

And they are thousands of miles apart.

Maybe we could have a few games in Alice?

Sunshine coast , Gold coast could also be added to that list no problem . The reality of it Des , is that Australia have been hosting international events for decades and could easily handle the world cup. Melbourne has to be the sporting capital of the world and between her and Sydney could easily juggle the majority of teams competing in the event. The stadiums are there , the facilities all ready in place. Thousand of miles apart ? With a country with 4 domestic airline carriers , also a top notch Train/bus system i don't think transport would be any issue . Would it des ?

Edit Adelaide, South Australia. After all it does have a state of the art 52,000 seater stadium.

leninbenjamin

DesF wrote: »

Dammit.

Fúck sake though, playing a WC in a country that big is bad news imo, they only have, what, six viable cities?

America's a massive country too. it went reasonably well if i remember? (although i was only 7 so meh).

When they first gave the world cup to SA i was actually happy for them. Thought it would be good for the game and Africa in general, but now i see those opinions came from ignorance largely on my part. I'm fearful for the tournament now, but i still think there's a chance they can get their sh*t together for it.

Death or Glory

Lucas Radebe for president.

He'd sort it all out

citytillidie

DesF wrote: »

Who are the standby?

Hopefully a European nation just cause its the best TV time.

_blank_

citytillidie wrote: »

Hopefully a European nation just cause its the best TV time.

Yeah, I already watched one WC at mad times ffs, I was in Aus, NZ and California/Vegas when the last one was on, man was my sleeping pattern all over the shop between jetlag and weird kick off times. Came home on the Sunday of the final.

Still managed to catch most games though

Royale with Cheese

Give it to Germany again. That rocked.

kenco

DesF wrote: »

Who are the standby?

AFAIK Oz was put on unofficial standby last year when and audit found lots of money missing for stadium builds and completions (imagine that). It was rumoured that this was done to put pressure on the SA authourities but I reckon they knew the game was up.

This has been done before but for natural disaster reasons. In '86 the tournament was to be played in Colombia but was rearranged at relatively short notice to Mexico.

Its a big problem for FIFA to move it from a country that maybe should have had it last time around. Very bad planning on their part.

I would say no more than 50:50 on it happening in SA at this stage.

20 Times 20 Times

kenco wrote: »

AFAIK Oz was put on unofficial standby last year

I would say no more than 50:50 on it happening in SA at this stage.

That is what i stated earlier on that Australia are definitely the standby country.

Savman

No way can they sanction such a huge tournament to go ahead in such a troublesome and unsafe location. It would be crazy. I'd expect murmurings to surface soon from FIFA along those lines.

DesF wrote: »

Black on Black

My fave kinda porno :D

delija_sever029

I think SA wont make this,they are late with organisation,FIFA all the time complaining they dont have even taxi's organised in country and not to talk about other things,they look like they are still in the past coz they are late with all things modern man need,i just dont get why they got chance to organise WC if they can hardly make it,i doubt they will manage everything till world cup starts but i hope they will coz it would be lousy to take away chance some country have WC in own country and give it to someone else just like that

_blank_

Savman wrote: »

My fave kinda porno :D

I'll see what I can do for you for next season

ibh

WTF??? I didn't realise there was a real possibility of them not hosting it.. I will have to hold off on booking flights. The stadiums should be finished in time from what I gather from Saffir friends. It'll be a big blow to SA if they don't manage to pull this off. They are pretty reliant on tourists for economy and will want to give a good impression. The Lions tour is there next summer so maybe it'll give some indications as to whether they can cope with a big event. Admittedly it's nowhere near as big as a WC though.

Don't mind if it's SA or OZ it's in tbh. I have accomodation for either country, although can you imagine what the price of a flight to OZ would be?!:eek:

Death or Glory

Death or Glory wrote: »

Lucas Radebe for president.

He'd sort it all out

Leeds fan ?

Mmm, heres the main question. If Ireland were to qualify, would you be willing to go over there to support them? I wouldn't.

Pal

England put on standby to host 2010 World Cup

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-451660/Blatter-puts-England-standby-host-2010-World-Cup.html

Pepe LeFrits

LostinBlanch wrote: »

The minister in charge apparently told people to save electricity by staying in bed longer!

Does he post on BGRH by any chance?

Savman

Pal wrote: »

England put on standby to host 2010 World Cup

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-451660/Blatter-puts-England-standby-host-2010-World-Cup.html

Every cloud....:pac:

Pal

It would be funny if England got the World Cup and they failed to qualify !

ibh

KaG1888 wrote: »

Leeds fan ?

Mmm, heres the main question. If Ireland were to qualify, would you be willing to go over there to support them? I wouldn't.

Why not???

Well ibh, if there is still trouble over there like there is now it would just be way too dodgey I feel. It would be like being in Cuba on that New Year's eve before Fidel took over !

ibh

Its not as if the place is out of control. SA has always been a little bit unstable. A lot of people live in poverty while a small majority are extremely wealthy. Same goes for Mexico, Mozambique, Zimbabwe... pretty much any African country.
I have been to SA a few times and found it to be a very welcoming place and one of my favourite locations. And i'm not into holidaying in warzones and playing dodge the landmine.. It's still 2 years away so who knows, but i'd be surprised if it had deteoriated to a point where fans safety was in danger acroos the country..

Dancor

Pal wrote: »

It would be funny if England got the World Cup and they failed to qualify !

Does host nation not qualify automaticly

delija_sever029

Well qualifications starts this year if i am right so i supose SA would still keep spot on WC and England will be already playing qualifications,so no point to stop it and give them place as new host

Royale with Cheese

I really can't see why they'd stage it in Australia. It's the other side of the world to pretty much everywhere, and they don't have a massive interest in football there. Yeah it's a got a good infrastructure and enough stadiums, but there'd be time zone difference problems for a lot of places watching on tv, flights would cost loads for visiting fans, and I could see plenty of half empty stadiums.

tdv

It should be in America somewhere. USA, Mexico somwhere like that thats insanley warm.

El Weirdo

ibh wrote: »

Same goes for Mexico, Mozambique, Zimbabwe... pretty much any African country.

What? They moved Mexico to Africa?! *checks Google Earth for confirmation*:p

delija_sever029

Yeah,those politicians,they do what they want with this world:D:D:D:D:D

Attractive Nun

I don't mind the World Cup being half way across the world - watching matches at weird times has a 'world cup feel' to it imo. Fiji 2010 ftw!

Benedict XVI

Royale with Cheese wrote: »

I really can't see why they'd stage it in Australia. It's the other side of the world to pretty much everywhere, and they don't have a massive interest in football there. Yeah it's a got a good infrastructure and enough stadiums, but there'd be time zone difference problems for a lot of places watching on tv, flights would cost loads for visiting fans, and I could see plenty of half empty stadiums.

tdv wrote: »

It should be in America somewhere. USA, Mexico somwhere like that thats insanley warm.

At short notice the Us is your only answer.

Loads of stadia spread all over the country
Good, road, air infrastructure
Good corporate and marketing experience
Enough knowledgeable US and immigrant fans that will ensure all games are sold out.
Easy to get to from Europe

Australia is on the other hand

A long way from anywhere ( as stated above)
Stadia are located in just a few cities
Population is small (18m) with a small soccer fan base that will not turn out in numbers just to see any old game.