World Cup officials dismiss fears over supremacist murder

Thu Apr 8, 2010 5:03pm GMT

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By Barry Moody

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - World Cup officials have dismissed fears that tensions over the murder of a South African white supremacist leader would frighten away foreign soccer fans already worried by violent crime.

"There is no political turmoil... it is clearly a criminal act and crime is in every country," chief local organiser Danny Jordaan on Thursday told a news conference where the issue was repeatedly raised.

"I don't think you must completely misconstrue it in this manner, it is just not correct."

The murder of Eugene Terre'blanche by two black workers at his farm on Saturday has stoked fears of rising racial tension and concern that it will deter foreign fans, whose numbers have already dropped because of crime and the high cost of travel.

South Africa has one of the world's highest rates of violent crime and authorities are mobilising more than 40,000 police to protect World Cup fans.

Jordaan added: "We have said it very clearly, 11 million tourists are coming to South Africa every year.

"The fact of the matter is that this is one of the most popular destinations on this continent and the world. The reality is quite different to what people are raising."

Jerome Valcke, secretary general of soccer's world governing body FIFA, also dismissed fears about security and said organisers had done everything possible to ensure the safety of fans. Continued...

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<p>An official 2010 FIFA World Cup soccer ball is presented during news conference in Johannesburg April 8, 2010. REUTERS/Peter Andrews</p>

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