FIFA President Sepp Blatter has slammed the 2010 World Cup Local Organising Committee for the poor attendance at the Spain/New Zealand Confederations Cup game in Rustenburg on Sunday evening. The game was played to a virtually empty stadium, with most soccer fans seen in the lower priced standing area.
USA Today reports that 2010 Local Organising Committee spokesperson Rich Mkhondo said that despite the poor turnout, ticket prices will not be reduced. “The South African nation’s job is to host the event, not attend it” is the astounding quote attributed to Mkhondo! He added: “You can take the horse to the water, but you can’t force it to drink that water”! He expressed doubt whether an extra 100 000 unsold seats can be filled if they are given away. Can this man really be representing the best South African interests in making such nonsensical comments? Is there bad blood between FIFA and the Local Organising Committee in making Mkhondo utter such absurd statements?
Blatter was not happy with the empty seats, evident from the television broadcast of the Rustenburg match. He suggested to the local organisers that they should have done more to fill the empty seats, including giving them away for free.
Attendance at the Opening Ceremony at Ellis Park was marred by problems in getting shuttle buses from the designated parking areas to the stadium. Many soccer fans arrived late as a result.
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