Criticism of 2010 FIFA World Cup

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Controversies

According to an article in Le Monde diplomatique, "More than $8bn has been budgeted for the building and upgrading of infrastructure for the football World Cup in 2010, including 10 stadiums and a high-speed train... But almost none of the building or the money can be accessed by the poor who live in shantytowns without proper water, sanitation or electricity."[1]

As with many 'hallmark events' throughout the world[2], the 2010 FIFA World Cup has been connected to a number of evictions in South Africa which many claim are meant to beautify the city, impress visiting tourists and hide shackdwellers. The most prominent controversy is the N2 Gateway housing project which plans to remove over 20,000 residents from Joe Slovo Informal Settlement along the busy N2 Freeway and build rental flats and bond houses in its place in time for the 2010 World Cup. The residents would be moved to the poverty stricken Delft township on the outskirts of the city and out of sight from the N2 Freeway. [3][4][5]

Relocation rumours

Rumours have circulated in various news sources that the 2010 World Cup could be moved to another country.[6][7] Some people, including Franz Beckenbauer, Horst R. Schmidt and, reportedly, some FIFA executives, have expressed concern over the planning, organisation, and pace of South Africa’s preparations.[6][8] However, FIFA officials have repeatedly expressed their confidence in South Africa as host, and have stated that the event will not be moved, with FIFA president Sepp Blatter re-iterating that "Plan A... Plan B... Plan C is that the 2010 World Cup will be staged in South Africa".[9][10] Blatter has stated that there is a contingency plan to hold the World Cup elsewhere but only in the event of a natural catastrophe, and that the 2006 World Cup in Germany also had a similar contingency plan.[10][11][12]

Despite reassurances by FIFA that the event would only be moved in the case of natural catastrophe, rumours continue to circulate about possible relocation of the event.[13] These rumours have been criticised by South Africa's Deputy Finance Minister Jabu Moleketi, saying that some have targeted the event to reflect their persistent negativity towards South Africa and Africa.[14]

References

  1. ^ Le Monde Diplomatique
  2. ^ "Hallmark Events and Evictions". Worldpress. http://www.worldpress.org/Americas/3064.cfm. 
  3. ^ "From Crossroads to Gateways". http://www.gdri-africancities.org/uploads/docs/PARIS%20From%20Crossroads%20to%20Gateways.doc. 
  4. ^ "Exchange of letters re Joe Slovo with Minister Lindiwe Sisulu". 22 August 2008. http://www.labournet.net/world/0710/slovo1.html. 
  5. ^ "Local Professionals describe N2 Gateway as expensive Joke". 11 November 2005. http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/local-professionals-describe-n2-gateway-as-expensive-joke-2005-11-11. 
  6. ^ a b Luke Harding (2006-06-12). "Doubt over South Africa 2010". The Guardian. http://football.guardian.co.uk/worldcup2006/story/0,,1818166,00.html. Retrieved on 2006-08-29. 
  7. ^ Jermaine Craig (2006-07-03). "Fifa denies SA may lose 2010 World Cup". The Star. http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=19&art_id=vn20060703014312923C258638&set_id=. Retrieved on 2006-08-30. 
  8. ^ "Beckenbauer issues 2010 warning". BBC Sport. 2006-09-20. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/5362504.stm. Retrieved on 2006-10-19. 
  9. ^ Sivuyile Mangxamba et. al (2006-10-26). "SA will host 2010 World Cup, says Blatter". Pretoria News. http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6&click_id=19&art_id=vn20061026104007469C369389. Retrieved on 2006-10-30. 
  10. ^ a b Sean Yoong (2007-05-08). "FIFA says South Africa 'definitely' will host 2010 World Cup". Associated Press. http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=Ah.1PkVLAGTpuoi3rG.VSMgmw7YF?slug=ap-fifa-wcup2010&prov=ap&type=lgns. Retrieved on 2007-05-15. 
  11. ^ "FIFA confirm World Cup back-up plan for 2010". ESPNsoccernet. 2007-04-30. http://soccernet-akamai.espn.go.com/news/story?id=426366&cc=5901. Retrieved on 2007-04-30. 
  12. ^ ESPNsoccernet - World - FIFA exploring 3 alternate 2010 World Cup hosts
  13. ^ "Fifa makes 2010 Cup back-up plan". BBC Sport. 2007-04-30. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/6606725.stm. Retrieved on 2007-04-30. 
  14. ^ SAPA (2007-05-15). "World Cup: 'Pessimists to eat their words'". IOL Online. http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=nw20070515141300975C518962. Retrieved on 2007-05-15. 
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