BERLIN, Nov 14 (Reuters) - FIFA president Sepp Blatter once
again dismissed fears that the next World Cup could be moved
from South Africa and said the 2010 hosts were further along at
this point than Germany was four years ago.
'They'll get it done,' Blatter was quoted as telling German
magazine
Sport Bild on Tuesday. 'It can and will take place in
South Africa -- I'm convinced of that. And that's what we're
working for.'
Rumours have circulated in the media for months that FIFA
was looking for an alternative host country -- possibly the
United States or Germany -- because of concerns that South
Africa had fallen far behind in its preparations.
'I've seen more at this point than I did in Germany,'
Blatter said of South Africa's preparations.
'There were still a lot of uncertainties in Germany four
years before the World Cup there,' he said. 'Down there, they
only have to build five stadiums and renovate one more. Four are
already there.'
Blatter also dismissed fears of high levels of crime in
South Africa.
'There is crime everywhere around the world. But when you
know where it is you can take the necessary precautions.'
He also said transport infrastructure in the country should
not pose problems.
'They have a good infrastructure of technology,
communications and transport,' Blatter said. 'Of course they
don't have the same number of rails as in Europe. But they are
improving and renovating their transport infrastructure.'
