Blatter calls critics "anti-Africa"
Posted: 2010-02-11 15:19

Fifa President Sepp Blatter has broken his silence over critics' persistent claims that the World Cup in South Africa might not be safe.

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 machine-gunned after it crossed the Republic of Congo into Angola's oil-rich town of Cabinda.

The Togolese were arriving for the Afcon, 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 argues.

"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 organise 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 says.

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"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 organise 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 says.

Sepp Blatter saying the truth

He is spot on.

ignorance for the westerners is simpler than really understanding the truths about Africa.

The whole continent is painted as a cesspol of hungry and dying people.


it is very obvious that for people who have never been to this part of the world and simply get their information from media stories will think everyone that lives here are wretched.

It truly is annoying and something I will continue to advocate against.

morpheus24:

The whole continent is painted as a cesspol of hungry and dying people.


it is very obvious that for people who have never been to this part of the world and simply get their information from media stories will think everyone that lives here are wretched.

My neices friend at school [UK] saw pics of nice houses in naija. She was so surprised saying she thought Africans lived in tents

i dont see how the critics are wrong to be concerned about safety in Africa when Africans themselves complain about lack of safety all the time.

and yes, much of the world is biased against Africa but considering what goes on there, wouldnt any ordinary person feel scared?


Both Sepp Blatter and the anti-Africa critics have a point.



Sometimes we should look at ourselves honestly although that's impossible.

tpia.:

i dont see how the critics are wrong to be concerned about safety in Africa when Africans themselves complain about lack of safety all the time.

and yes, much of the world is biased against Africa but considering what goes on there, wouldnt any ordinary person feel scared?


Both Sepp Blatter and the anti-Africa critics have a point.



Sometimes we should look at ourselves honestly although that's impossible.

The reporting should be balanced. If you see any report about SA it usual centers around crime in very popular crime ridden areas that are usually avoided by most sensible people at odd times of the day.

This should be accompanied with the beautiful views of tourist running around the cape, the safaris and so on to give a wholistic viewof the country. imean anyone who watched last years attack would think this was something that was occuring everywhere.

I don't think you would see such a sight inside in Sandton for instance.


Its like showing pics of Ojuelegba and orile all day without balancing the coverage of nice areas in Abuja, Calabar, yankari game reserve and so on.

America and britain have ghetto spots too.

tpia.:

i dont see how the critics are wrong to be concerned about safety in Africa when Africans themselves complain about lack of safety all the time.
and yes, much of the world is biased against Africa but considering what goes on there, wouldnt any ordinary person feel scared?
Both Sepp Blatter and the anti-Africa critics have a point.
Sometimes we should look at ourselves honestly although that's impossible.

Tpia like Mr Mo have explained,we are not saying the crime rate or reports are pretty but the way it's reported you sense that the is a movement of some sort against this world cup.

Let me say this,last weekend we had ATP SA Open the following top players where playing

Frenchman Gael Monfils,who won the competition
Frenchman Josselin Ouanna
Speniard David Ferrer among other top players and this is a yearly tounament,last year was won by Jo Winfred Tsonga of France.

Last month we hosted the English cricket team which travelled with around 20 000 supporter for the whole month.Now the Super 14 Rugby competition start with team from Australia and New Zealand joining South African teams,this tournament will go for at least three months.And it's been played since 1996.

Not to to mentioned that Germnas teams esspecially Wolsburg where here last month for their off season preparations and are regular visitors.

English teams are regulars visitors,Manchester United,Portsmouth,Totenham, are all regulars and there have never been any incident that you can write home about.

The biggest tourist to South Africa are English and Germans and most of them have holidays houses in most coastal cities,that show you the faith this people have in our country,and I wonder why now they're making so much noises.

If you live in Township in South Africa life will be little bit tough for you,although things are changing it is still considered poor areas and crime is higher there.And still most crime or murders happen between people who knows each otther.

There for it is very possible to come to SA and have a very peacefull holidays as long as you don't go to areas that will expose you to dangerous places.

Typia Before the 2006 World Cup in Germany there was train attacks in Madrid and later in London and as Africans we where intelligent enough to know that Europe is not a single country and it was safe to go to Germany.

I am happy that one whiteman had the confiction to tell it as it is,because if you're black people say we are quick to play the race card