FIFA Gives Thumbs Up to South Africa at Halfway Point
June 26, 2010
(WFI) FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke says South Africa is halfway to hosting a "perfect" World Cup.

Speaking at a media briefing today, Valcke said: "We can just be happy with what we are seeing.

"If on the 11 July it is at the same level as today, I would say it's a perfect World Cup.

"It is a good organisation. We are passing all expectations... beyond the number of visitors, beyond the target for ticketing even though some of the stadiums had empty seats."

"The sceptics have been proved wrong. It is not only a tournament well-managed at all levels... but the answer comes from teams," he said, relating Brazil's compliments about the reception the team has enjoyed and the high quality of training facilities.

Valcke acknowledged the "difficult start" to the tournament, which began on June 11, when a labour dispute saw stewards go on strike at two stadiums forcing World Cup organisers to bring in police to replace them.

Transportation issues in the nine host cities, particularly Johannesburg where congested roads made for long journey times to Soccer City and Ellis Park for fans and media, also had to be dealt with by FIFA and the local organising committee.

Hour-long daily meetings between FIFA and LOC chief executive Danny Jordaan were necessary in the first week of the tournament to help resolve issues. But Valcke said today's meeting lasted about one minute.

"It shows we are not dealing with problems any more. Our attention is on the organisation of the final on 11 July," he said, noting the challenge involved in bringing football executives and dignatories, including heads of state, to Soccer City.

Valcke said that at the end of the month-long competition FIFA hoped to be in a position to say that South Africa was a "Plan B for any future organisation of the World Cup".

FIFA president Sepp Blatter, he added, had been a "very relaxed person" since the start of the tournament, indicating that "this World Cup works well".

Jordaan also gave his evaluation of the tournament that has now reached the knockout stage, with the first two round of 16 games kicking off later today. Uruguay play South Korea in Port Elizabeth and USA meet Ghana in Rustenburg.

"We are 50 per cent through with 100 per cent achievement of our objectives, that is to demonstrate that this country is capable of delivering this event and that the people of our country will be warm and embracing of our guests," he said.

He said the World Cup had been a "journey of discovery and rediscovery" for foreign visitors and South Africans.

"We are very happy. The big matches are now coming. It is just wonderful to see the big clashes between two countries on African soil [Germany play England on Sunday].

"We will see not just how the contest goes on the pitch but celebrations off it."

Amid fears of outbreaks of hooliganism between rival English and German fans in Bloemfontein on Sunday, World Cup organisers have stepped up security in the city and around Free State Stadium.

Jordaan said: "We had a meeting with the police to talk about security around this match. I am sure fans will go there and have a wonderful time in Bloemfontein."

Jordaan said that World Cup organisers' one disappointment was that Bafana Bafana, the South African team, was among five African sides which have failed to reach the knockout stages. Africa's hopes now rest on Ghana.

"I think it is a lesson for all of us on the continent that our ability both to play and organise was tested for this event and now Africa has to focus on 2014," he said.

Nelson Mandela's presence at the July 11 final is not yet confirmed. Jordaan said the former South African president would make his own decision.

FIFA said that tickets were still available for today's round of 16 clashes - 5,000 are on sale for Uruguay v South Korea in Port Elizabeth and 1,700 for USA v Ghana in Rustenburg.

An additional 1,000 tickets have become available for the Brazil v Chile contest at Ellis Park on Monday and 500 for the Spain v Portugal match in Cape Town on Tuesday.
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