We need solidarity in time of crisis: Blatter

Following on from the FIFA Executive Committee meeting on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 December in Tokyo, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter gave a press conference where a number of subjects were discussed, from the current economic crisis to tighter transfer controls.

• “We are concerned about the impact of the crisis on clubs. The economic situation is getting worse by the day, and it is hitting those at the bottom end the most. Certain leagues are losing their sponsors, then their TV rights etc. We need to show solidarity in these troubled times”. FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter said.
• Sir Alex Ferguson said recently that the crisis was even worrying Manchester United, and Karl Heinz Rummenigge explained that Bayern would not be able to buy any players this winter. Looking on the bright side, clubs will no doubt be giving home-grown players a chance. “Whatever happens, I have told members of the Executive Committee that we need to show solidarity in these times of crisis and help out those who need it most,” Blatter confirmed.
• South African organizers of the 2010 World Cup expressed concern Friday about the effect the global financial crisis will have on the tournament, which is already running well over budget.
• The South African government has had to allocate an extra 1.4 billion rand ($136 million; 105 million euros) for stadium construction because of rising prices, pushing total costs to more than 30 billion rand. That is a tenfold increase from the amount original budgeted.
• The South African rand has fallen about 30 percent against the dollar in recent weeks and as the U.S. and Europe slide into recession, there are concerns fans will not have money to travel or buy tickets.
• Danny Jordaan, the head of the local World Cup organizing committee, said organizers were taking a “wait and see approach” but that there were indications that the world financial outlook will be more positive by 2010.
• “Even if you accept people have fewer dollars in their pockets, those dollars will buy more rands. So people may still travel because the destination becomes cheaper,” he said.
• South Africa has been hoping that the World Cup will act as a catalyst for economic growth and a boom in tourism with an anticipated 350,000 visitors expected to flood into the country for the monthlong event.
• Jordaan was speaking to reporters ahead of the draw for the Confederations Cup draw, which takes place Saturday.
• The draw will decide the match schedule and composition of the two groups of the eight-team competition to be held in June 2009. The event will feature Brazil, Egypt, Italy, New Zealand and the United States.
• Jordaan said the world financial crisis would not affect preparations for the Confederations Cup as games were being played at existing venues.
• He also said they were not expecting the event to draw large numbers of foreign fans and had instead targeted their publicity campaigns at South Africans.
• Jerome Valcke, FIFA’s secretary general, said that while football fans may be facing tighter times, tickets for the most-watched tournament in the world will still be sought after.
• Valcke also gave reassurances that FIFA’s finances were in good shape and would not be affected by the turmoil in world markets.
• “We are not afraid even as we recognize there is a very strong crisis,” he said. “Sport is one safe business that gives something when all else is going wrong.
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