A World Cup to Die For?
This news would have been unheard of four years ago in Germany:
JOHANNESBURG (AP) -- World soccer's governing body says one-third of World Cup tickets remain unsold less than five months before the first tournament held in South Africa.About 1 million of the 3 million tickets are still available, FIFA officials said Wednesday.
South Africans and Americans had made the most bids for tickets in the third round of sales, which will be settled by lottery on Monday.
FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke dismissed concerns that South Africa -- notorious for its high crime rates -- would be dangerous for visiting fans.
"Don't kill the World Cup before the World Cup is taking place," Valcke said. "I mean give us a chance. Give South Africa a chance to organize a great World Cup. Give a chance to people to fly to South Africa and don't tell them every day that they should not fly to South Africa."
FIFA has received 1.2 million ticket applications from 192 countries for the Feb. 1 draw and said that the semifinal and final matches are attracting the most demand. Some 960,000 applications came from South African residents, who are eligible for cheaper tickets.
U.S. residents sent in some 50,000 applications, followed by Britain with 41,000. Neighboring Botswana, Mozambique and Namibia made a combined 5,500 bids.
Two ticket draws remain before the World Cup begins June 11.
Valcke's words echoed those of South African President Jacob Zuma. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Zuma said Wednesday that his country would ensure the safety of fans.
South Africa has one of the world's highest murder rates, with at least 50 people killed each day. The country plans to beef up police and training by investing in high-tech equipment and crime-busting surveillance to combat crime as well as threats from terrorists and hooligans.
Safety fears mounted after three people were killed this month when the Togo national soccer team bus was attacked en route to the African Cup of Nations in Angola.
For a more vitriolic (sensationalistic?) view of this apparently unfolding debacle check out this story from frequent FIFA critic Andrew Jennings.
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About 100 Percent Soccer
Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005 for the Daily News, Daily Breeze and other Los Angeles area newspapers. The blog of the same name began in 2007. A native of England, he began writing about soccer in the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat in the stands for one in the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer and is married to a long-suffering soccer widow. Join Nick on FaceBook and follow him on Twitter.
Nick, I read Andrew Jennings' piece. Far from being "sensationalistic," it is well-researched and balanced (Granted, the material on Blatter's alleged alcoholism is based on hearsay but from what we know about that fat crook, it's believeable). It also shines a negative light on the bastards who run soccer in the world.
I love soccer and I love the World Cup but I hope the tournament fails miserably this year. We know that the *only* reason South Africa received the World Cup was as an enticement for the Third World's support of Blatter in the FIFA elections (Havelange set up that racket in the 1970's). If the World Cup fails, then Blatter, Warner, Blazer, Havelange et al will be exposed beyond the cover of legitimate legal protection, God willing!