01/07/2008 11:53

Johannesburg - Sports Minister Makhenkesi Stofile insisted on Monday that despite what has been written about South Africa's staging of the 2010 Soccer World Cup, the country has the full backing of Fifa president, Sepp Blatter.

"Fifa has made it clear to us that they are fully behind our plans, our systems and preparations. They know what is happening in the country and if they were unhappy, we would be the first to know," said Stofile.

"But this is not the first time we have seen reports like this and I'm getting concerned about this kind of reporting because it doesn't show the real picture."

Stofile also took a swipe at striking workers who had brought construction at some 2010 stadiums to a halt.

Stofile also accused the striking workers, who were demanding higher wages, of trying to derail the country's progress in hosting the tournament.

Recently, construction workers downed tools at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit. Stofile said though workers had a right to express their dissatisfaction, they should remember to place issues of national importance ahead of other interests.

National asset

"I am not saying people should not go on strike when they want to do so, it is their democratic right.

"But when there is a precious national asset at stake then we all have a duty to act responsibly.

"We must put the country's interests first and right now, it is required that the stadium be completed in time. If these strikes continue, then we will find ourselves in a difficult situation," said Stofile.

Reacting to fresh reports suggesting that Fifa had drawn up a contingency plan in case South Africa failed to meet its stipulated deadlines for the World Cup, Stofile said he was not concerned about the scepticism emanating from the West that was aimed at undermining the country's preparations.

"Most of those journalists who write these stories have never been to South Africa and don't know what is happening here. They pick up a rumour and they blow it out of proportion.

"Recently when I was in Vienna, a reporter asked me whether we will be able to finish building (the stadiums) in time, but when I asked that reporter about whether he had information about the progress made in these cities, he wasn't even sure about the number of venues to be used in 2010."

Completion date

Stofile said Blatter had assured him that Fifa was happy with the progress made so far in preparation for the event.

He said that of the six stadium venues being built from scratch, only the Greenpoint Stadium in Cape Town would not be finished by the envisaged completion date next year.

Commenting on the debate surrounding the new stadium being built in Port Elizabeth, Stofile said he was given assurances that construction of the stadium would be completed by March 17 next year.

"If you look at all the facts, really we have nothing to be worried about," he said.

"We are on track and we are making progress. We will allow those who want to criticise but maybe people should do some research before they make statements."

Stofile has been steadfast in defending the country's preparations for the World Cup.

At one stage he labelled criticism of South Africa's plans as racist and Afro-pessimistic.