Beckenbauer Apolgizes for South Africa Remarks

Wasn’t South Africa awarded the 2010 World Cup almost three years ago? Then it’s about time they got their act in gear. If they start in January it will be just a little bit over 3 years to go and I think FIFA wants to examine the facilities some time in late 2009 and not May of 2010. They need to built stadiums, roads and other means of transportation, hotels etc. and not some straw huts. Get moving or watch the WC2010 move to Australia or some other place that is ready for it.

I think we must all accept Mr Beckenbauer’s apology and move on to ensure that the 2010 FIFA world Cup is a huge success. Claude, your comments are either of the ignorant or racist type or both. I say this because of your “straw huts” comment which reveals a deep level of ignorance about South Africa. Just in case you wonder: no, there are no elephants walking in our city streets, etc. On the contrary, if you visit South Africa now you will already find world-class stadiums [at which we have already succesfully hosted the Rugby and Cricket World Cups as well as the African Cup of Nations], you will find the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town which has just been sold to international investors for $1 billion dollars, you will find many proud South Africans working hard to ensure that 2010 is a success, etc. Don’t be too concerned about our state of readiness for 2010…we are in fact ahead of schedule: rather be concerned at your ignorance about South Africa.

3 years is 36 months and the projects will only take between 30-35 months. So they will be complete in time. So this means by 2010 January South Africa will be ready. You can come as early as February we will still welcome you.

Claude your comments obviously show your prejudice against South Africa or you’re just plain moronic with comments as straw huts.

how much is a plane ticket to africa from asia? hope they give student discounts. hehehe

I suggest my critics click the hyperlink in Bob’s article called “construction of 5 new stadiums.” I get the impression there is a lot of work to be done and footdragging being the order of the day. My comment about “straw huts” was just meant that to imply these are long term projects and not jobs that can be done overnight. No racist remark was intended. It was just a poor choice of words. My apologies again. I do hope South Africa can get this thing up and running. It is always good to get a new area to host the World Cup and not return to the same sites 24 or so years later. However, the preparations need to be taken seriously because there are always delays getting in the way and that has nothing to do whether it’s in Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia or N. and S. America.

I also have doubts that South africa will come thru! I don’t consider myself a racist. It seems that whenever anybody questions a person of color and especially blacks they are called racist, maybe the reverse is true.
Anyway FIFA should consider a second choice and have a tight time schedule for South Africa to follow and pull the plug if and when they do not follow thru!
As far as cricket and rugby is concerned that does not compare to the World cup soccer.

Apology accepted. And it’s fine to doubt. If it is normal practice for FIFA to do as you suggest, then fine but as long as you don’t practice double standards. But I rally wonder if you guys are following the discussion on South Africa’s readiness to host the World Cup. If you did, you will have noticed that FIFA has given South Africa’s planning process the thumbs-up.In some respects it is well ahead of where Germany was 4yrs prior to 2006. Of course there are challenges and we know that this is a huge event to organise. But no-one’s sitting back….South Africans are planning to make this the best World Cup ever and we hope you will all join us.

its cool..