Soccer administration in Africa is plagued by too much political interference, with sports ministers often attempting to control national teams, said Fifa president Sepp Blatter in Durban on Sunday.
Speaking at a media breakfast at the Hilton Hotel, Blatter said: ”We have so much political interference in football in the African continent. It also exists in other continents, but here in Africa it is something that should be avoided.”
He said that Fifa has possibly made a mistake with its financial assistance programme, which sees every national association receiving $1-million every four years. He said that this programme has contributed to political interference in the national associations. ”And why is there an interference? It is because the national associations are not properly organised.”
He said a lack of continuity in the leadership of African football associations beyond a three-year period exacerbates the administrative problems on the continent.
Politics
Referring to the national teams, he said that in several African countries, national football associations leave control of the national team to politicians.
”The national team is in most of the national associations a matter of the sports minister. The sports minister thinks he’s in charge of the national team because the government will support the national team.
”It’s correct that the government supports sport and that the government supports football, but they should not take over the technique and composition of the teams. This is a real African problem you have here. Definitely.”
Recognising ”deficits” in the administrative capabilities of the African soccer association, Blatter said Fifa has started its $70-million ”Win in Africa with Africa” programme, which aims to improve the administration of the game in the continent.
The programme has not come without its fair share of criticism, he said, adding that Fifa is ”criticised by the other confederations that we do too much for Africa”.
Asked about political interference in South African football, Blatter said that Fifa has ”not received any complaints” and he was not aware of too much interference in the national team by the sports minister.
While Fifa will do all it could for the beautiful game in Africa, Blatter urged African national associations to help themselves. ”Help yourself and heaven will help you. It is give and take, not take and give,” he said.
He was full of praise for the backing that the South African local organising committee has received from the South African government.
Security
Commenting on security issues, Blatter said security is a problem at every World Cup and that there had been ”voices” that said: ”Oh no, they [South Africa] cannot do it.”
”Everywhere somebody was looking for some problems here. There are problems to organise a World Cup. You cannot just bring it [the tournament] up in 24 hours.”
He said security had been one of the biggest concerns at the 2006 tournament staged in Germany.
He said that there were many negative reports repeatedly covering the same subjects, especially. ”It hurts me. We can overcome these security matters.” However, he also warned: ”You can overdo security.”
Blatter said later in the day at a press conference that he deplored any violence. He said that Austrian tourist Pieter Burgstaller — who was found murdered on a golf course south of Durban — was not a Fifa delegation member.
He again expressed his dissatisfaction with the progress on the 2010 stadiums being built in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, adding he did not believe that either stadium would be ready for the 2009 Confederations Cup, but that they would be ready for 2010.
Talking about the South African national team, Blatter said: ”It is very important to have a very strong national team and it is time this team is waking up.”
He said the national team of a host country that does well promotes the interest in the tournament.
Bafana Bafana will be in the spotlight when the team play in the African Nations Cup. — Sapa