South Africa World Cup 2010, update your life insurance!

[Collar Feeler]

Just saw a rather alarming report on BBC news regarding violent crime and murder in South Africa. A quick bit of research to verify shows that South Africa currently has around 18000 murders every year and equally disturbing statistics on violent crime. Compared to the average 800-900 murders in England & Wales each year does anyone think that England fans will descend on South Africa in any great numbers should we qualify??

 

[Napper]

we'll always be there. Sure our boys will have something to say about it.

seriously though , thats shocking. Surely they will need to address this or at least try too. 4 yrs n counting

 

[SussexSpur]

The next two tournaments are certainly looking a little odd, at least from this distance. Apparently there is very little momentum or enthusiasm behind the South African effort yet (admittedly-small signifier: of the 5,000+ journalists accredited for the tournament in Germany this summer, only four were from South Africa - sure, not present as a team this time, but the next hosts - and one of them didn't turn up), and the whole "Fifa family" (ugh) supposedly remains split about whether Blatter's enthusiasm for the African votes really was the best option as regards to facilities likely to be up and running.
Now add in the laxness of Brazilian stadia, and signs the Brazilian government is not over-keen to pump in lots of money ahead of the idealised 2014 hosting - meaning football's finest tournament is most likely on its way back to the good ol', soccer-lovin' US of A, unless the Aussies pull off a master coup...
Happy days...

At least it must, just must be looking good for us for 2018.

 

[Leekbrookgull]

Shot first,thats the best policy,i say ?

 

[shingle]

I'm going.

If it goes ahead. Brother lives in Jo'burg and has promised to sort out tickets for all England games

HOWEVER.

The security situation far from improving has actually got a lot worse there recently, and there is talk in S.A that the security of fans can't be guaranteed and that Australia is being lined up as possible replacement

 

[A Melbourne Albion Supporter]

Bring it on down here, we'd do a superb job and all you'd have to worry about is the odd nut who targets backpackers

 

[SussexSpur]

Yet the Asia/Australasia (to force 'em together, as Fifa now seems increasingly to be doing) only hosted a World Cup as recently as 2002.
If 2010, let alone 2014, has to go to a sub, then even more chance it'll be the US... Maybe Mexico, as per 1986, but the Mexican FA/Fifa ties aren't quite so strong now as during the (admittedly-Brazilian-but-connected) Havelange's reign.

 

[Juan Albion]

then even more chance it'll be the US...

Or perhaps a US/Canada joint effort.

 

[SussexSpur]

Or perhaps a US/Canada joint effort.

Sounds a nice idea, but... why?

 

[Juan Albion]

Sounds a nice idea, but... why?

Because FIFA like to encourage countries where the sport is developing. They did it with the US and it is time to bring some of the action north of the border, but we wouldn't have the infrastructure for the whole thing by then. We have the U-20 World Cup here next year and ticket sales are booming - 40% of their sales target was met in the first 12 days of sale.

Also, I want to go.

 

[Simster]

Yet the Asia/Australasia (to force 'em together, as Fifa now seems increasingly to be doing) only hosted a World Cup as recently as 2002.

I think you'll find that was the idea of the Australian Federation. And what a brilliant idea it was too. Australia now has one of the best football federations in the world and the game there is clearly booming. And that is more likely to be sustained if they can have meaningful competition which they will get against Asian nations...

 

[Harty]

Have heard from a very good source it won't happen, due to transport links or lack of them between host cities, poor stadium facilities and the crime factor.
As I understand it, it will either return to Europe, France or Italy are being talked about, or even Austrailia.
There is even an outside chance, very slim, it might go straight back to the Fatherland as they have everything in place!
Perhaps our FA might put in a bid?
It has happened before Colombia was the scheduled hosts in 1986 but were replaced by Mexico, who hosted two tournaments inside 16 years, with two and a half years to go,

 

[readingstockport]

Or perhaps a US/Canada joint effort.

Was out there in August and that was the story over there. US because they are the ones who can gear up at short notice to host it.

Personally I think it would be a great shame as football is the 'blacks' game and they turn out in their 100's of thousands to watch teams like the Orlando Pirates.

 

[Trigger]

does anyone think that England fans will descend on South Africa in any great numbers should we qualify??

England, qualify, with Steve McTurnip in charge?...

 

[Man of Harveys]

There is even an outside chance, very slim, it might go straight back to the Fatherland as they have everything in place!

Yes! GREAT IDEA!

Best world cup venue EVER.

 

[Trufflehound]

Re: Re: South Africa World Cup 2010, update your life insurance!

England, qualify, with Steve McTurnip in charge?...

That was also my first thought...