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World Cup 2010: Sepp Blatter Blasts 'Anti-Africa' Critics
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has broken his silence over critics' persistent claims that the World Cup in South Africa might not be safe.
Feb 12, 2010 4:26:00 AM
Despite assurances from South Africa's government, foreign critics again questioned South Africa's ability to host a safe World Cup after the Togolese national team bus was attacked after it crossed the Republic of Congo into Angola's oil-rich town of Cabinda.
The Togolese were arriving for the Africa Cup of Nations when the terrorist attack left three people dead, including two members of the team.
However, Blatter told Germany's press agency DPA that it is "nonsense" to link the terrorist attack in Angola to South Africa.
"It is nonsense to combine what has happened in Angola with a terrorist attack and link it to the South Africa World Cup. Eleven million tourists travel every year to South Africa. Last week an ATP [tennis] tournament was played in Johannesburg, and they didn't die," Blatter argued.
"It's kind of an anti-Africa movement; this is not right. There is still in the so called 'old world' a feeling that 'why the hell should South Africa organize a World Cup.' Why the hell? It was easier for them to go down to Africa, the colonialists in the past hundred years, to take out all the best, and now to take out all the best footballers. And when you have to give something back they don't want to go. What's that? It is a lack of respect, a lack of respect for the whole of Africa," Blatter said.
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The Togolese were arriving for the Africa Cup of Nations when the terrorist attack left three people dead, including two members of the team.
However, Blatter told Germany's press agency DPA that it is "nonsense" to link the terrorist attack in Angola to South Africa.
"It is nonsense to combine what has happened in Angola with a terrorist attack and link it to the South Africa World Cup. Eleven million tourists travel every year to South Africa. Last week an ATP [tennis] tournament was played in Johannesburg, and they didn't die," Blatter argued.
"It's kind of an anti-Africa movement; this is not right. There is still in the so called 'old world' a feeling that 'why the hell should South Africa organize a World Cup.' Why the hell? It was easier for them to go down to Africa, the colonialists in the past hundred years, to take out all the best, and now to take out all the best footballers. And when you have to give something back they don't want to go. What's that? It is a lack of respect, a lack of respect for the whole of Africa," Blatter said.
For the latest news and updates from Goal.com, follow our Twitter account!
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