Over the past days, the question about the security issues surrounding the Football World Cup 2010 in Africa has gained importance. Last Friday, November 23rd, before the draw for the World Cup qualification groups, there was an announcement of a tragic occurrence. The former Austrian Football Star Peter Burgstaller was shot near to the South-African city Durban when he indulged himself to a game of golf. The 43-years-old former keeper from SV Salzburg came to South Africa as a tourist in order to achieve tickets for the drawing gala. According to police investigations it was a murder with robbery. The suspects possibly thought he had money and credit cards on him. So far there are no leads of the suspect, the weapon or the time of the crime.

The DFB-Team manager Oliver Bierhoff had as well a bad experience during his visit in Durban. While he was having breakfast someone abstracted his briefcase from his room and stole his cell phone and his passport. This however shouldn’t give a reason for concern. Ernst Middendorp, German team Arminia Bielefeld Coach said: “Stealing of personal items can happen in every country." Middendorp was coach for the traditional club Kaizer Chiefs from Johannesburg between 2005 and 2007. He also explained: “You have to know where you can go. There are places you should better not go." He requests clarification for all players and spectators to avoid any risks. “This is an aspect we have to accomplish." Oliver Bierhoff agrees: “The fans and also we as a team have to adapt to the place where the next World Cup will be and it is very different from the one in Germany 2006."

The crime rate in South Africa is very high. Averagely there are 50 murders each day. In 2006 there was registered a total of 19,202 murders and about the same amount on attempted murders. The amount of robberies between 2006 and 2007 was around 126,558. The startling consequence is that only about 30% of criminal acts will actually be judged. South Africa’s police assured that all arrangements have been set for the security at the World Cup 2010. These arrangements do not apply only for a certain areas but all of them according to the police.

FIFA-President Blatter was asked if he thinks it is supportable that such a high-cost event was assigned to a country with so many social problems. His comment was: “I am really sorry for what happened but you cannot relate this happening to the organizers of the World Cup. That is not correct. Football can solve problems and South Africa knew what the country will get involved with."

Middendorp hopes that Football will bring the white and black population in this country together.

At the opening ceremony President Thabo Mbeki’s speech did mention: “I am very confident that the world of football will be celebrated in and with South Africa. We will show our visitors the beauty of this continent." DFB- secretary General Wolfgang Niersbach has supporting words: „At the World Cup 1978 in Argentina and 1986 in Mexico there was a lot of skepticism and at the end it was Mexico who was one of the greatest hosts." German National coach Joachim Löw is positive it was a good idea to award the World Cup to South Africa. "Africa deserved it as a continent to be the equalizer of a Word Cup. I am confident that they will do everything to make this event save for everybody“.