Marianne Merten
After South Africa’s 2006 World Cup bid received the thumbs-up from the Federation of International Football Associations (Fifa) this week, officials now face a gruelling 16 weeks in the politics of international lobbying to bring the global soccer event to Africa.
Crucial to strengthening South Africa’s chances is next week’s discussions with Brazilian bid officials in Zurich after the meeting of the influential Fifa television and marketing group.
Brazil could be willing to withdraw its 2006 bid if an agreement with South Africa is reached to lobby Fifa on the principle of rotating where the World Cup is held every four years, says South Africa World Cup 2006 bid company CEO Danny Jordaan.
Since 1994 the event has been held in the United States and France and is scheduled for Korea and Japan in 2002. Many believe the cup should go to Africa in 2006 followed by South America in 2010.
Although Fifa does not have a formal policy on rotation, its president Sepp Blatter has indicated it is now Africa’s turn.
The gathering of soccer officials from around the globe in Zurich is also seen as an opportunity by South Africa to canvass executive members of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Despite months of negotiations and lobbying, CAF has failed to clearly support either South Africa’s or Morocco’s bid.
“I think CAF indicated that they would await the report of the technical inspection visit,” Jordaan said.
It is understood that Brazil and Morocco are not up to Fifa standards, leaving the real choice among Germany, England and South Africa.
In May South African bid officials will seek to secure the Fifa votes at the three regional congresses in the Bahamas, Samoa and Kuala Lumpur.
Yet the role of the powerful international companies in the decision- making process – commercial lobbying was believed to be behind Atlanta, the headquarters of Coca Cola and CNN, hosting the Olympic games in 1996 rather than Athens – remains the big unknown for local bid officials. Germany’s close links with soccer super-sponsor Adidas could count in its favour.
Regardless of any behind the scenes politicking, South Africa presented its bid as the one for Africa under the motto “Hear Africa’s Call”.
No punches were pulled, no questions ducked and certainly no photo opportunity for the Fifa team with various South African dignitaries and scenic sites missed.
After the visitors had their photographs taken with former president Nelson Mandela, a fired-up Minister of Sports and Recreation Ngconde Balfour said: “Getting photos with Madiba is just sewing the whole thing up.”
Forty-two presentations and visits to seven stadiums across the country were organised with military precision alongside visits to a game reserve, a Saturday afternoon soccer extravaganza and historically significant sites like the Orlando Stadium in Soweto.
Nothing escaped the inspection. Cape Town’s Newlands Stadium, better known for hosting rugby games, may have impressed the team, but they noted that media facilities there would be inadequate even for a semi- final game. Toilet facilities for the referees need to be completely separated from the players’ dressing rooms.
To overcome concerns around crime and safety, the head of security for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, Bill Rathburn, was brought in to give his unqualified approval.
And 10% of the planned operating budget has been earmarked for security measures, including the use of private security firms and yet to be established municipal police forces.
“There were government officials who understood what was involved,” Fifa team head Alan Rothenberg said. “We were very well satisfied.”
After what is expected to be a tense lobbying period, the decision by the 24- strong Fifa executive will be announced after its meeting from July 5 to 6.