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2010: Strikes concern Fifa
22/11/2007 12:28 - (SA)
Durban - Fifa General Secretary Jérôme Valcke said that football's governing body is concerned about the 2010 stadium preparations at a media briefing held at the Durban ICC on Thursday.
Stadium workers in Nelspruit, Durban and Cape Town staged strikes for better wages and this raised concerns that South Africa will not be ready to host, not only the World Cup, but the 2009 Confederations Cup.
"We are looking at what's happening and we are concerned, but we do trust that Danny (Jordaan) and the LOC have solutions for these problems," he said.
"We contact Danny if we see problems and I think he is the person that can answer this better. However, I know we are on track despite what has happened and I believe that the stadiums will be ready for the Confederations Cup as well," Valcke said.
Danny Jordaan, the CEO of the 2010 South African Local Organising Committee (SALOC) said that the strikes were not unique to South Africa and that there is no crisis.
In Durban, the host city for the Preliminary Draw, workers downed tools for nearly two weeks before resuming work earlier this week.
"We will obviously lose a week or two due to the delays. The weather too can delay construction and these problems are not unique to South Africa," said Jordaan.
"I believe that the stadium workers will put in the effort to see that these projects are done on time. If you go to the construction sites, even at night, you will see them busy there and I believe that the stadiums will be completed on time."
- SAPA
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