2010 world cup bid

[Stefan]

Fifa gives SA highest grading by Marjolein van der Stad

Posted on 03 May 2004 - 23:10

South Africa will hear on Tuesday that it received the highest grading of the five African countries in the race to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup tournament.
The reports of the technical adjudication of the five countries will be published officially on the website of Fifa, the International Soccer Federation, on Tuesday afternoon.

Informed sources say South Africa received the highest grading, followed by Egypt and Morocco. Tunis and Libya share the fourth place.

Sepp Blatter, chairperson of Fifa, announced during his visit to South Africa last week that the report would be published.

"It's expected that the announcement of the reports could have a major influence on which country would eventually be given the rights to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup. It's a surprise that Morocco wasn't in second place.

Morocco and South Africa are seen as the favourites. If the technical committee put Morocco in third place, it could influence the final voting.

The report was compiled by a committee of five under Jan Peeters, chairperson of the Belgian soccer association. The committee judged the five countries in the running between September and January and Fifa is to make an official announcement on May 15 on who will host this event.

It looked at infrastructures, stadiums, telecommunications, hotels, hospitals and transport systems.

The information obtained by the committee has to be given to the 24 members of Fifa's executive, who have to decide on May 15 who will host the 2010 tournament.

When the host country for the 2006 World Cup tournament was announced, Fifa didn't divulge the reports. The contents were, however, leaked to the media and it became known that South Africa and Germany were the favourites

Germany won with one vote in a controversial fashion after the New Zealander, Charles Dempsey, abstained.

England, who were third, said Fifa had leaked the document and had jeopardised the country's chances to host the tournament.

Morocco, who are trying for the fourth time to host the World Cup, lost in the first round of voting the last time bids were considered.

 

[Handoyo]

For your sake, I hope South Africa can win it, Stefan.


Handyo

 

[Sisenando]

For your sake, I hope South Africa can win it, Stefan.


Handyo

yeah, south africa would be good. And i'm sure Stefan'll buy us tickets for Italia matches.

 

[Interforeva]

I was surprised that South Africa didn't win the 2006 world cup, it really looked like they were gonna get it. That whole New Zealand vote was weird I think they have 2010 in the bag though.

 

[interafei]

For your sake, I hope South Africa can win it, Stefan.


Handyo

me too

 

[Handoyo]

me too

And for your sake, I hope China wins it, in 2022.


Handyo

 

[Stefan]

Tunisia withdraw from WC bidding
Posted on 08 May 2004 - 08:14

Tunisia have pulled out from bidding for the 2010 World Cup after Fifa rejected their proposal to co-host soccer's premier tournament with Libya, Fifa president Sepp Blatter announced on Saturday.

Blatter told the Associated Press that he had received a letter and been verbally assured by Tunisian officials that the small North African nation would no longer be a candidate.

The withdrawal leaves South Africa as the favorite, trailed closely by Morocco and Egypt, to be selected as the World Cup host when the executive committee of Fifa, soccer's top authority, votes on May 15.

"We have received the withdrawal of Tunisia," Blatter told said on the sidelines of 50th anniversary celebrations of the Asian Football Confederation.

"They will only be a candidate if there is a possibility of co-hosting," Blatter said. "There will be no co-hosting, because at least three of the associations are able to organise this World Cup individually."

It was unclear whether Libya remained as an individual contender, but the country would have virtually no chance of succeeding.

"We have no further notice from Libya," Blatter said.

Lobbying has been intense in Kuala Lumpur as the competing African nations seek support for their bids.

The Asian confederation will have four representatives voting on the 24-member executive committee. AFC President Mohamed bin Hammad says they have been instructed to vote as individuals, not as a bloc.

Though Fifa had sent signals for months discouraging a joint bid by North African neighbors Tunisia and Libya, Tunisian officials had held out hope that it would eventually be accepted.

The two nations were dealt a blow this week when a Fifa technical committee rated them at the bottom in a ranking of candidates that could host a successful World Cup.

The committee scored South Africa - which narrowly lost a controversial vote to Germany to host the 2006 World Cup - at the top, followed by Egypt and Morocco.

The head of Morocco's' bid, Saad Kettani, told AP on Friday that rating may have been intended to undermine his country's chances against South Africa.

Egyptian officials have said that they hope the voting goes beyond one round, and that they can pick up support that would have gone to losing North African countries as they drop out.

A simple majority is needed to win the bid, with Blatter casting the deciding vote in case of a tie.

Japan and South Korea co-hosted the 2002 World Cup, but the organization ran into rivalries and difficulties. Fifa has indicated that it is not eager to repeat the experience.

In an unprecedented move, Fifa restricted bidding for the 2010 World Cup to Africa, which has long given strong support to Blatter as head of the organization.

"No matter which country hosts the event, the winner is already football, and African football when we go there in 2010," Blatter said in opening remarks Saturday to a congress of the Asian confederation.


Morocco play down stadiums concerns
Posted on 08 May 2004 - 15:32

The group leading Morocco's 2010 World Cup bid dismissed as unfounded concerns expressed in Fifa's inspection report over three unbuilt stadiums.

Fifa's verdict, published Tuesday on the five nations vying to host the competition in six years' time, concluded that Morocco had "the potential to organise a very good World Cup" but it expressed concern that "three stadiums presented to the 2006 Inspection Group in February 2000 as under construction have not been realised at all".

On Friday Moroccan organisers said Fifa's disquiet "was no longer applicable since they (the stadiums) were now being built and ahead of schedule".

The statement pointed out that Fifa had never demanded existing stadiums as a key criteria, claiming that joint 2002 hosts South Korea and Japan built ten and eight stadiums respectively after their nomination as hosts.

It added: "The government of Morocco has given a full guarantee to finance all the stadiums to the tune of 862 millions euros....no other candidate has offered similar guarantees."

The Morocco World Cup bid committee concluded: "Morocco will organise an excellent World Cup if Fifa gives it the opportunity."

World football's governing body placed Morocco in third behind favourites South Africa and Egypt based on their inspection committee's feedback.

Morocco, South Africa, Egypt, Tunisia and Libya - the five nations in the hunt for 2010 - will know their fate after the final vote is taken by Fifa's Executive Committee in Zurich on May 15.

Egypt join Morocco in damage control bid
Posted on 07 May 2004 - 16:15

Egypt's World Cup 2010 bid officials joined their Moroccan rivals in a damage limitation exercise on Friday following the release of Fifa's assessment report on Africa's five candidate countries.

Morocco on Thursday said the report contained many discrepancies between the factual information and the conclusions reached by the five-man Fifa inspection team that visited the bidding countries.

On Friday, Egypt presented its case to the executive committee of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in Kuala Lumpur by highlighting Cairo's subway system and the country's two satellites, both issues ignored by the report.

"We wanted to tell people that we have had a subway system for the past 10 years and this was not in the report," said Egyptian bid committee member Zohair Ammar.

"In addition, we are the only country of the five bidders to have our own satellites, making it very easy for television feeds."

Egypt was ranked second behind South Africa but ahead of Morocco in the Fifa report. Tunisia and Libya are also bidding to host the 2010 World Cup. Fifa will choose the winner in Zurich on May 15.

Ammar's colleague Sahar El-Hawary said Egypt is hoping its staging of the 2006 African Nations' Cup will aid its 2010 World Cup bid and said seven world-class stadiums would be ready by the end of 2005 for the continental championship.

"It's just a case of building a few more should we win the bid," said El-Hawary.

"We are also the only country whose government has given us an open budget. Fifa don't have to spend a cent."

Moroccan bid chief Saad Kettani on Thursday urged voting members to look only at the facts of the report and ignore the subjective conclusions.

AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam, one of the Fifa Executive members from Asia who has a vote, said he would use the report as a guideline.

"Of course, you have to be influenced by the Fifa report because that's the only guide we have," Hammam told journalists.

"Some of the countries are saying the report is not entirely accurate, and yes, that will also be taken into account."

 

[Stefan]

Today at 12:00 cet the winner will be declared. Here is hoping we get it.

 

[Marco The Butcher]

I really dont think South Africa will win the bid..
Im not saying that cuz im Egyptian and we r competing too but i guess its either Morocco or Egypt.

 

[Stefan]

SA slight favourites to win bid
Posted on 14 May 2004 - 21:13

South Africa started and ended Friday as slight favourites to win the race to host the 2010 World Cup finals but outstanding final presentations from Morocco and Egypt suggest the vote could be close.

Tunisia withdrew their candidature at the last minute, while Libya's presentation merely confirmed their status as rank outsiders.

Fifa's 24-man executive committee were addressed by political figures including Nelson Mandela, Egyptian actor Omar Sharif and world soccer heroes such as Zinedine Zidane and former World Player of the Year George Weah.

The final decision on which African country will host the tournament will be announced by Fifa president Sepp Blatter on Saturday at noon local time (1000 GMT) after the executive committee convenes at 0915 (0715 GMT).

MOROCCO FIRST

Morocco's bid, headed by Prince Moulay Rachid, brother of King Mohamed VI, was the first to be heard and broke with tradition as it included overseas personalities rather than just nationals from the bidding country.

Senegal President Abdoulaye Wade addressed the executive committee on Morocco's behalf, as did the former prime minister of Spain Felipe Gonzalez.

The bid delegation, orchestrated by American Alan Rothenberg, who was in charge of the United States' hosting of the 1994 finals, also included two members of the Moroccan government, the actress Isabelle Adjani, Brazil's 2002 World Cup-winning soccer coach Luis Felipe Scolari and Just Fontaine, scorer of a record 13 goals at the 1958 finals.

Bid committee president Saad Kettani concentrated on convincing the executive of the integrity of Morocco's bid, the security of its finances, exceptional levels of safety and plans to invest in 'Football Without Frontiers', a programme for development in all of Africa.

Prince Moulay Rachid read out a message from the king that assured all visitors of Moroccan hospitality.

"Your friends will be our friends, your guests will be our guests -- your teams will be our teams," he said.

MANDELA REMEMBERS

South Africa made an emotive presentation with former president Mandela highlighting the country's apartheid past and the role football played in breaking down racial barriers.

Mandela, one of three former Nobel Peace Prize winners in a high-powered delegation, said football had provided the only joyful release for himself and fellow prisoners during his 27 years in jail for fighting against apartheid.

"While we were on Robben Island, the only access to the World Cup was through the radio," Mandela, 85, told Fifa.

South African president Thabo Mbeki said the prospect of the World Cup offered Africa a journey of hope, away from decades of conflict, division, poverty and war.

"Soccer's World Cup in Africa will reaffirm our common humanity and prove we all belong to one family.

"We have come to Zurich to pledge that if South Africa is granted the privilege of hosting the 2010 World Cup we will respect Fifa's high standards. We have come to convey the seriousness with which we view the World Cup.

"Help us to fully restore Africa's dignity as together we undertake a journey of hope crowned by the 2010 World Cup," Mbeki concluded.

The South African delegation also included Nobel peace prize winners FW de Klerk, the last Apartheid-era president who ordered Mandela's release from jail in 1990, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu as well as Weah.

HISTORICAL ROLE

Egypt's bid emphasised the country's historical role in sport and its importance in the development of soccer in Africa.

It also stressed peace and security and Hisham Azmy, the bid co-ordinator, told Fifa not to doubt their ability to stage the World Cup.

"Do not have a single doubt that Egypt has the capability and motivation to hold the World Cup. We are and remain a pivotal force for peace and friendship in this troubled world."

Tunisia Football Federation president Hamouda Ben Ammar told Fifa his country wanted to co-host the finals with Libya.

However, as Fifa had already insisted that there would be no co-hosting, they had no option but to withdraw.

Tunisia's withdrawal is likely to benefit Morocco's bid to win the right to stage the finals.

Tunisia have one vote on the executive with member Slim Aloulou now likely to switch his allegiance to their fellow north African country when the executive committee make their decision.

 

[Marco The Butcher]

Ok South African won..!

Its all politics nowadays.. they have a very a less than average league..!
The country is not secure..
Tourism is not "Wow"

But they can do the politics...

very funny really..very..

 

[Riku]

Congrats Stefan!

 

[Interforeva]

Congrats to SA - I thought and hoped they would win it.

 

[Pravesh]

Congrats Stefan !!

 

[Stefan]

Ok South African won..!

Its all politics nowadays.. they have a very a less than average league..!
The country is not secure..
Tourism is not "Wow"

But they can do the politics...

very funny really..very..

What is wrong with the tourism of SA? It is one of the fastest growing sectors in SA. And at the last 2 world cups we hosted the cricket and rugby nothing happend to the teams . The security of the teams will be fine just worried about the spectators and tourist security.

 

[Stefan]

Thank you guys for all the congrats wishes.

 

[Sisenando]

Well, good for you that you get to watch the games.So, how's our tickets going?You better buy us all the Italia match tickets.And how sweet it would be if Italy vs South Africa final?haha...And by the way, i told Mandela to help you around.He's a buddy of my grandpa's friend's uncle....haha

No offence dude..

 

[Shaun]

Congrats to SA!

 

[Ziyad]

Congrats to SA i plan to be there hopefully by then with the wife and kids

 

[_OC_]

I didn't know where to put this, but the things going on right now make South Africa, however unfit they were to host a World Cup, look like a walk in the park. I've translated a Danish article into English that underlines just how sickening FIFA is:

FIFA-bossens absurde svinestreg

Læs mere her

ekstrabladet.dk

"There is no doubt that readers can remember the scandal-ridden World Cup in Qatar. Now, FIFA has, under the cover of darkness, launched an even bigger scandal. Despite all the talk of transparency, democracy, and respect for human rights, FIFA's president, Gianni Infantino, has ensured that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup. It's like Qatar times ten.

And the decision is based on an incredibly dirty game, to be implemented next year, a whole ten years before the final round is scheduled to take place. Gianni Infantino has placed himself among the biggest rogues in FIFA's 119-year history. That says a lot. He has been on this path for a while, but he probably sees his recent actions as a kind of masterpiece. He has manipulated most of FIFA's 21 member countries. He knows it. He doesn't care. Because there will be no consequences. Even though he has sidelined FIFA's congress.

Infantino has gone directly from Russia's Vladimir Putin to Qatar's emir and then right into the arms of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Mohamed bin Salman, who early on signaled his desire to host the 2030 World Cup. However, this was not possible because Qatar had the 2022 World Cup, and the idea is for the tournament to rotate among FIFA's confederations. Both Qatar and Saudi Arabia belong to the same confederation, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The Crown Prince then settled for 2034, but it would still be too early, as both Africa and South America were ahead in line.

The challenge with Africa was resolved when Morocco, the day before FIFA's congress in Rwanda in the spring, announced that the country would submit a joint bid with Spain and Portugal. That sorted out the 2030 issue. But what about the South Americans? The first World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930, and Uruguay wanted to mark the centenary by hosting the tournament with neighbors Paraguay, Argentina, and Chile. However, this didn't suit Infantino because it would disadvantage Africa.

For months, the entire football world has been kept in suspense. In June and again in September, I asked FIFA when they would announce the criteria for bidding for the 2030 World Cup. Like everyone else, I was given the runaround. Until everything exploded on Wednesday evening after a video meeting of FIFA's board, the so-called council. Not many knew the meeting would take place, and looking at the agenda, which was only sent out the day before, it only mentioned providing information about the bidding process to host the World Cup. It must have meant 2030.

We got wiser. The 2030 World Cup was presented as a done deal. Morocco, Spain, and Portugal will be the main hosts, with South America getting three matches, one in Uruguay, one in Argentina, and one in Paraguay. Chile got the short end of the stick. The opening match will be played in Uruguay, and once the three matches are played, the teams will fly to Europe and Africa. Not a very environmentally friendly World Cup. It's also worth noting that these countries have been awarded the World Cup before the application deadline has expired. In FIFA's own document, "Overview of the Bidding Processes," it states on page six that the deadline to confirm interest in hosting the 2030 World Cup is October 29, 2023.

The real outrage is that the same deadline applies to the 2034 World Cup. Virtually none of FIFA's member countries were aware of this beforehand, except for Infantino's friends in Saudi Arabia. On Wednesday evening, Saudi Arabia already announced that they would apply for the 2034 World Cup. Immediately, the president of the AFC, Sheikh Salman Al-Khalifa from Bahrain, also expressed full support on behalf of his 47 member countries.

And only countries in the AFC and the small Oceania, OFC, can apply for the 2034 World Cup. OFC has 11 member countries, but none of them can host a 48-team World Cup. Several of them barely have a stadium.

This dirty trick has been baked in the darkness of the night. Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup. And it will be without any form of voting. This is not open or democratic. It's a football dictatorship."

-----------------------------

The whole thing is just so blatantly corrupt. Interest in national football has been in the gutter for a long time, but know it's been willingly thrown to the wolves at the whim of Middle Eastern autocrats and dictatorships for exclusively sport-washing reasons.
May it burn and rot.