Blatter “dances for joy” in South Africa
Sepp Blatter, the Swiss president of world footballing body Fifa, claims he danced for joy after arriving in South Africa to check on preparations for the 2010 World Cup.
Glossing over concerns about delays, rising costs, rampant crime and lack of transportation, Blatter on Monday visited Cape Town’s new “jewel” of a stadium, which was long beset by political wrangling and industrial action but which is now slightly ahead of schedule.
He was less flattering about the national football team, which failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup, seems likely to miss out on the 2010 African Nations Cup and hasn’t won any of its past five matches – including losing to lowly Guinea – since June.
Blatter stressed his trip was a courtesy visit rather than an official inspection. He also played down fears that the ongoing turmoil in South Africa’s ruling party, pitting incumbent President Thabo Mbeki against his likely successor Jacob Zuma, could have repercussions for the World Cup if key ministers involved in the preparation are sacked.
Even if everything eventually runs smoothly, it could well do so without Swiss participation. Switzerland have collected only one point from their first two World Cup qualifying matches and are still smarting from being beaten by Luxembourg on September 10.
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