FIFA step in to assist with World Cup bases

11 May 2010 13:38

FIFA have had to give South African World Cup organisers an extra £67million to ensure training bases are up to scratch.

There had been concerns among some countries, including England, that the bases would not be ready in time for their arrival before the tournament, which starts on June 11. England are now happy with theirs at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus.

FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke told BBC Sport: "We had to add some money for the team base camps where some teams were unhappy about the level of the services or the level of the pitches."

Valcke added: "That's a cost that we at FIFA took over to ensure that things were delivered on time.

"We have agreed the extra 100 million US dollars at the last executive committee where I explained there will be some additional cost for the World Cup to move [the budget] from 423m US dollars (£282m) to 523m (£349m).

"Nothing can be paid without our approval and it's the first time ever that FIFA has worked this much with a local organising committee."

Valcke said the extra cost would easily be covered by the £2.1billion FIFA will make from the tournament in television and sponsorship revenue. He also said any surplus would be ploughed back into football.

"Yes, it's a lot of money but just to be clear we are not sitting on profit, all the money is going back to football," added Valcke. "It's also less than the Premier League and UEFA make from the Champions League.

"The World Cup is the most beautiful football event, played every four years with the best teams of the world.

"It's a unique event, it's the biggest sporting event organised every four years, and that's why there is such interest."

Source: PA