Cape Town could lose World Cup host status

0 Comments | AFP, December, 2006

CAPE TOWN (AFP) — Possible court action by citizens citing environmental concerns could cost South Africa's tourist hub of Cape Town its status as a host city for the 2010 football World Cup. Residents say the proposed 68,000-seater stadium in Green Point will rob the city of much-needed public amenities but Sports Minister Makhenkesi Stofile will ask cabinet to take away Cape Town's host status if they do not back down.

"If the process in Cape Town is delayed, and this in turn delays our overall preparations, we will have to move it to another place," Stofile's spokesman Bonginkosi Sishi said Tuesday. Stofile's stance even has the backing of the Western Cape provincial government which fears a court battle will severely delay construction work. "It will be sad for Cape Town...