With 23 days into the 2010 Fifa World Cup in south Africa we got the opportunity to sit down with Fifa itself and find out how they felt about the first World Cup played on African soil. This world cup has been a first in many aspects judging by the surprises we saw on the field especially yesterdays game between Netherlands and the mighty Brazil, we spoke to Fifa spokesperson Nicolas Maingot about their feeling so far.
Firstly, let’s talk about South Africa and how Fifa feels so far about this event, we 23 days into the South African World Cup, how does Fifa feel?
I can tell you we are extremely happy at Fifa, we very satisfied we actually thank you South Africans for having produced this World Cup, somehow at Fifa we gave the framework I would like to say, but the work was done here by our South African colleagues. It is so nice to see the hospitable way in which you welcoming us Fifa and all the international fans who came in numbers. There were indeed doubts expressed before the tournament, but from our side I can say we really never doubted it, we’ve already said it and you’ve heard us say that plan A, B and C is South Africa.
Is Fifa happy with security and policing around the event, have there been any incidents reported,other than the incident with the English fan walking right into the England team’s changing room, was that poor policing or a loophole in stadium security systems?
Well security of an event is a major element of course for all event organisers and the same applies for Fifa and the Organising Committee. What we’ve always said ahead of this event is that the security of the event is matter of the relevant authorities here in South Africa. When a country is awarded the hosting of the World Cup, that country must provide a number of guarantees and that is obviously the main one because it’s so important and we’ve always said we would trust South African authorities to ensure the event and that has been done. Yes, there has been an incident that is clear and it’s fair to say there has been nothing major.
Now the idea of fan parks were introduced at the 2006 German Fifa world cup, and was a huge success where 18 million people attend these parks, does South Africa have the same success with the fan fests in South Africa and Cape Town?
Absolutely the fan fest are huge once again, and as you mentioned Germany 2006 was indeed the first time we launched the fan fest and 18 million people watched the game from there. We are not expecting this number in South Africa, the context is different, the weather of course is not the same we here during winter that also has implications. We at Fifa are extremely happy with the Fan Fests. I think it’s a simple recipe, its basically telling people come watch the game with friends.
Tickets scalpers have been reported in our local media has a bit of a problem, the scalpers operate outside the stadiums selling tickets to desperate fans wanting to get in on the action, what is Fifa’s view on that and are there stricter systems in place now?
What has to be said regarding ticket touting is that it is really unfair, when you do that, you basically preventing people from legitimately going to the stadium to enjoy a World Cup game which could be a unique opportunity of a lifetime. It is very unfair therefore Fifa has to be strong on that and we have to commend the South African Police Service on giving us a hand on this one. And I now have the information that there would be a few tickets available for the semi-final between Netherlands and Uruguay and the tickets will be accessible at the Fifa ticketing centres, fifa.com, FNB branches and the call centre at 083 123 2010.
What are Fifa’s views on goal line technology, should technology be used to help eliminate controversial decision made by referees, as players are now calling for Fifa to rethink it, after the England, Germany game and the Argentina Mexico game where Tevez was obliviously offside, what is Fifa doing about that kind of thing?
It is a very important topic refereeing and officiating is a reoccurring topic which comes with any tournament. I would say first it’s fair to say you single out bad calls from referees but however you need to look at the bigger picture, and if you look at the bigger picture you will actually see there are many more good calls or decisions made by referees than bad ones. We will have a meeting by the International Football Board. The Board will look at the issue of gaol line technology. I would also like to mention, that at the last meeting with the International Football Board on 18 May in Zurich it was confirmed the experiment used in the European League with 2 added assistant referees will be continued for the next 2 years.
Now let’s talk a little about politics interfering with soccer, as with the France president calling an investigating into the French team’s performance and Nigerian President banning the national team for playing soccer for two years how does Fifa feel about that, what is Fifa going to do?
We are firmly opposed to any kind of governmental interference and we actually sharing the exactly the same position as the international sport movements starting with the International Olympic Committee the reason for that is that the sport body must remain independent in the running, of course we do see our relationship with the government as some form as partnership but in no way should there be interference and Fifa is yet to Decide and the France and Nigerian issues.
The world cup could set a new record for paid attendance with three million fans expected to attend games. With the quarter finals, semi finals and finals being played at the biggest stadiums in the country it is possible we will top the three million fan attendance mark after the final at soccer city. So we breaking records how does Fifa feel?
It’s a sign of the enthusiasm towards World Cup in the world and in South-Africa. With residents responding magnificently with regards to ticketing. More than 75% of tickets have been sold to South African residence, its amazing what South Africans have done for this event. Yes, we are expecting to reach the 3 million figure by the next few days for the semi-final in Durban. The current average attendance is about 49 000 per game which is very high and we at Fifa are very pleased with this.
- Bush Radio News : Mishkah Anthony
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