Photo: “No 15%, No World Cup”.

July 8th, 2009 | by: chris |

I actually believe it’s 13%, but that’s neither here nor there. The big problem is that, as threatened, South African construction workers have gone on strike, putting the World Cup in very real danger unless some sort of accord can be reached shortly.

Plan B anyone? England, perhaps?

Tags: construction strike, South Africa, World Cup 2010, World Football

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 29 comments.

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By Don | July 8th, 2009 at 2:41 pm

BTW, what’s the minimum age requirement to work in South Africa?

Plan B: No 2010 WC. Clubs will be very happy.

Posted from United States

By Bruno Romani | July 8th, 2009 at 2:57 pm

strikes, corruption. it’s just the beginning. wait until the cup in Brazil.

Posted from United States

By Seth | July 8th, 2009 at 3:09 pm

Yea, I’m all in favor of a move somewhere else. Was not impressed with the Confed. Cup to be quite honest.

Posted from Canada

By Vin | July 8th, 2009 at 3:38 pm

It would be a shame to have to move it, except for the fact that there would be NO VUVUZELAS!!!

And it could go to England, and our odds to host in 2018 or 2022 (when the US could have a possible shot at winning if the program keeps improving+home field advantage) would increase.

Posted from United States

By Weston | July 8th, 2009 at 4:01 pm

Everybody seems pretty eager to ditch SA, give them a chance.

Posted from United States

By Ian | July 8th, 2009 at 4:19 pm

I do think we’re being a little premature with dumping South Africa. Let’s keep our fingers off the button for just a little while longer.

By mike | July 8th, 2009 at 4:25 pm

I think we’ve been standing by while the tournament has been slipping down the tube, and this strike is nearly the last straw.

Posted from United States

By Stephen J | July 8th, 2009 at 8:58 pm

The question still stands. Let’s say that the WC does move. Would the new host get a seed in place of SA, or would SA still receive it. I can’t believe that FIFA has anything in place for this, to be honest, I could see them giving a seed to both SA and the host, and going with the Top 6 instead of the Top 7.

By JC | July 8th, 2009 at 9:40 pm

I remember Sepp saying that Germany was plan B.

Posted from United Arab Emirates

By CSD | July 9th, 2009 at 12:19 am

I think we’re eager to ditch it because it’s a shithole and no one wants to travel there.

Posted from United States

By safa | July 9th, 2009 at 1:18 am

its funny, why is everyone against South Africa?? Its a great place, great stadiums and trying to make it in this world. give it a chance, No one works harder thatn a SOuth African, strike or no strike, the job will be done, so stop complaining

Posted from United Kingdom

By sgb | July 9th, 2009 at 3:49 am

The stadiums will be completed on time — most are already ahead of schedule. I was at the Confed Cup final at Ellis Park and it was a truly great experience (even if the wrong team won). If you haven’t been to SA, I’d suggest you reserve judgement.

Posted from United States

By mike | July 9th, 2009 at 6:36 am

CSD, just another one of the reasons I (and many others) have been pretty much against SA from the start. Although I did give them plenty of chances to see how they would do, this is ridiculous.

Posted from United States

By safa | July 9th, 2009 at 6:45 am

mike, so you have given South Africa plenty of chances, please man, dont be an ass. South Africa has hsted many international events, sucessfully, and you have given South Africa chances. typical american arrogance

Posted from United Kingdom

By mike | July 9th, 2009 at 9:28 am

Yes, I have given them many chances to put this world cup together, build their stadiums, increase security, etc, and then they pull crap like this, which just makes them look bad and makes lots of people not want to go to the WC there.
Typical british arrogance, thinking americans are all arrogant.

Posted from United States

By Chief | July 9th, 2009 at 9:38 am

This is normal, german workers were also striking before WC2006. The stadiums will be completed on time and were going to be having the tourney next year.
Dont fret youngsters!!

By joe | July 9th, 2009 at 10:07 am

man just pay them honestly how u like to make a 1 hr give them a honest pay ride on south Africa ……..1OVE

Posted from United States

By CSD | July 9th, 2009 at 12:57 pm

South Africa on anyone’s top 10 vacation spots?

Posted from United States

By Robert | July 9th, 2009 at 2:19 pm

Frankly, a lot of arrogance overall, as no one here is actually a decision maker with regards to where to hold the cup.

That said, a strike is SA at this point is not that unusual, and its a bit early to panic. Oh, and SA its’s an very interesting spot to visit, plenty of modern facilities, and a good base of operations for tourism in the region.

By Kevin | July 10th, 2009 at 2:16 am

American Arrogance rearing it’s ugly head again. This is a free countrr the last time i checked. Everyone has a right to strike if they feel agrieved. Unfortunately, because of our country’s past the construction industry has a histry of exploitation and these poor people have a right to strike. Mike i agree, you’re an ass. Get over yourself.

By Mitchell | July 10th, 2009 at 5:35 am

It’s actually ridiculous how ignorant some of the above comments were. The same posters probably think that lions roam the streets in South Africa. Thinking that a world cup will be moved in one year because of 2 days of strike? – what a joke. This is the ignorance i seem to only see from “some” black sheep americans online – Thankfully only some. Are you so selfishly over-involved in your own country that you think up comments like these? I’ve heard that some American’s think that South Africa is one of their own states lol. Is this why the US likes making war…to protect their own while the rest of the world suffers?

Back to the point: Strikes were probably budgeted for, cause they know SA workers strike – It is anyways being resolved as we speak.

By safa | July 10th, 2009 at 7:52 am

mike, i still dont get it, they have had alot of time to do this, and most stadiums are done. The rest are close to completion. Its just strange how an american puts an African state down like that. I love South Africa, great place to visit, give them a chance, you never hear a south african complaining about any other country. How about some faith in a developing country, let them develop and see what a great nation they can be. I will definately be there next year, and i know it will be the best world cup yet. So get your act together and have faith in other people, not just americans. typical

Posted from United Kingdom

By CSD | July 10th, 2009 at 8:32 am

From wiki:

-”The spread of AIDS (acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome) is an alarming problem in South Africa with up to 31% of pregnant women found to be HIV infected in 2005 and the infection rate among adults estimated at 20%”

-”According to a survey for the period 1998–2000 compiled by the United Nations, South Africa was ranked second for murder and first for assaults and rapes per capita. Total crime per capita is 10th out of the 60 countries in the data set.”

-”In May 2008 long standing state hostility to African migrants exploded in a series of pogroms that left up to 100 people dead and 100,000 displaced.”

Yeah, you’re all right… sounds like a lovely place. Building huge stadiums that they won’t be able to support after the World Cup is exactly what they need.

Posted from United States

By mike | July 10th, 2009 at 9:47 am

I guess I can’t have a conflicting a opinion without everyone feeling the need to be a douche about it.
And you all think I’M the arrogant ass, what a world we live in.

Posted from United States

By Scott | July 10th, 2009 at 5:46 pm

wouldn’t worry too much about this – there are always seem to be strikes ahead of major events like Olympics (there were certainly strikes in Athens) amd World Cups

SA could probably host an Ok world cup even if those stadiums were not completed – there are so many good stadiums already (Ellis Park, Newlands, Kings Park, Pretoria, Bloemfontein)

Soccer City is the most important (and ambitious) as long as that’s finished on time, but it should all be fine

Posted from Ireland