Morocco has emerged as a strong challenger to South Africa in the bidding to become the first African country to host soccer’s World Cup.
Egypt, Libya and Tunisia are also in the race for the 2010 showcase, whose winner will be decided by the Fifa executive committee in Zurich on May 15.
But the contest appears to be narrowing between Morocco, bidding for the fourth time, and South Africa, which lost to Germany by one vote four years ago in the vote for the 2006 World Cup.
The stakes are higher than ever because Fifa’s rotation policy means Africa will not get the World Cup again until 2030.
Banker Saad Kettani, picked by King Mohammed VI a year ago to lead Morocco’s bid, has the funding in place — $180-million toward organisational costs has already been deposited in a Swiss bank account. Venue construction has begun.
Kettani has also signed up a top-quality team of consultants led by Alan Rothenberg, who organised the 1994 World Cup in the United States.
Three stadiums are in place (in Fes, Rabat and Casablanca) and three are under construction (Marrakech for the opening match, Tangiers and Agadir). Another three depend on the outcome of the vote (El Jadida, Meknes and the Casablanca Grand’Stade, which would host the final).
Kettani contests the idea that South Africa should get the World Cup as a reward for having gotten rid of apartheid and embraced all-race democracy.
”South Africa is the past,” he said. ”Nelson Mandela is not only a hero in South Africa, he is a hero for all Africans, Moroccans included. Yet why should the rest of the world say: ‘Let’s keep all of Africa poor and give everything to South Africa?’ That makes no sense.
”South Africa is the most developed and advantaged country in Africa but the World Cup means far more to us both socially and economically.
”Fifa must consider if the World Cup is just a marketing exercise or whether it wants to contribute to peace and stability in the world.”
Kettani boasts of Morocco’s lack of infectious diseases and low crime rate without drawing direct comparisons with South Africa’s social problems.
He cites Fifa president Sepp Blatter’s promotion of causes in world issues beyond the soccer pitch.
”Consider how social unrest in this part of the world could impact on Europe,” Kettani said. ”Europe has the biggest interest in voting for us.”
He said Morocco’s bid has received the support of French President Jacques Chirac and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar.
”Europe has even more interest in a World Cup in Morocco than the Arab world — and it will be a lot easier for their fans,” he said.
Kettani said Morocco deserves recognition for fighting the African cause far longer than anyone else.
”We were the first African country to qualify for the World Cup finals in 1970; the first African country to reach the second round in 1986; the first African country to bid to host a World Cup; and the first African country to provide a referee for the World Cup final in 1998.
”Now we hope to be the first African nation to host the World Cup finals. We think it would be in everyone’s interests.” — Sapa-AP