WC Construction Delays

[BadgerinATX]

ESPN Link

How concerned should we be about having to move this? The article says FIFA wants construction completed by December 2009. I'm wondering if SA will receive some leniency since this is a historic event for the continent.

 

[JohnnyM]

I am guessing there is about a 90% chance that SA holds the WC in 2010 as scheduled. Selfishly I wouldn't mind a last-minute switch to the US, but I'm not sure if that's a realistic option. At least the TV times would be easier!

 

[Napoleon]

I would be South Africa gets until the end of January or February to have things completed (if not later) simply because of the reaction to a pull out that would place the WC in the USA.

 

[TexonLongIsland]

plus the confederations cup went well, expect for the damn horns, so that bought them some credibility. I'm confident they will be ready on time, just on time - paint drying on the seat as you sit down ready.

 

[Owlhorn]

all I know is Soccer City looks awesome

 

[l00p]

There was plenty of violence surrounding the Confed Cup. Stories of bribery by cops, athletes rooms being broken into, fans being held up. This was with oppressive first strike attempts. This is going to likely be horrible with grotesque human rights violations left and right to give the perception of safety which won't truly exist.

Sure, stay in the lines of a few streets in J-burg and elsewhere, don't go out at night, don't travel alone and still allow women to speed through red lights since you have a very high chance of getting raped (yes, women in S.Africa are allowed to do this for that very reason it is that common place).

That it is there is disgusting still. That they continue to live this covered up fantasy scenario is sad. I love the idea of Africa getting to host one of these. I adore it, actually. I wish that African citizens could actually get to go as well. I wish that the poor would somehow benefit from the money that would be generated and that they could get some of the jobs that are being out sourced in the hospitality areas.

But the cold hard facts are that the entire continent is not ready yet. We should not force it. The soccer world, which is the entire planet minus North America, get together and make it a mission. But it won't happen. I wish it would.

It also sucks that they fear the backlash of moving it to the U.S. which is the backup plan. If people get hurt or killed because of them forcing the issue and fearing an outcome, yuck.

I was going to go but no way now. If I won tickets and hotel I would sell them quickly. That Brazil is worlds safer says something. This makes me sad. A friend of mine is from Cameroon and has lots of family in S.Africa and well, things suck and he fears the worst as well.