Protesters brand World Cup waste of money

Hundreds of people have rallied in the South African city of Durban to protest against the way the government has spent money on the World Cup.

The demonstration included scores of match stewards on strike over low wages.

Many feel that money used to build the huge stadia to host the tournament will be of no future value to South Africa’s poor.

One protest organiser said: ‘‘If the World Cup is going to run, it must cover its own costs. Our own understanding and our own assessment is that FIFA is going to make for instance 25 billion Rand profit, which it is going to expatriate out of this country on television rights alone. Not enough of that money is coming out here.’‘

Police have been forced to take over security at nearly half of the country’s World Cup venues following the strike by match stewards.

In Durban, the scene of violent protests on Sunday, officers were gearing up for the group H game between Spain and Switzerland.

The latest disruptions are likely to be an unwelcome sideshow for organisers. FIFA has so far refused to comment, probably preferring to focus instead on the African party atmosphere that has been a unique feature of the tournament.

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