Tournament News
Capello inspects SWC base
2010-02-22 17:54
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Sun City - England coach Fabio Capello inspected the team's World Cup base Monday with a top-level delegation of FIFA and South African officials after it emerged that the complex is unfinished.
Around half of the bedrooms at the Royal Marang Hotel at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus near Rustenburg are yet to be completed three months before the England squad arrives.
Capello, who has previously raised concerns about the standard of the training pitches, toured the facility with FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke, South Africa 2010 chief executive Danny Jordaan, South African Football Association president Kirsten Nematandani and African Football Confederation president Issa Hayatou.
"Following the visits, we are confident that the Bafokeng Sports Campus will be ready and thoroughly tested in time for the World Cup," Niall Carroll, CEO of Royal Bafokeng Holdings, said in a statement. "Construction remains on schedule and the primary pitches will be comparable to that of the Bafokeng Sports Palace, rated as one of the best in the country.
"We continue to work closely with the FA, FIFA and MATCH (logistics organiser) and remain confident the Bafokeng Sports Campus will meet the highest standards in every area."
The visit came a day after a group of English reporters witnessed building work continuing at the site.
FIFA will be confirming the bases for the 32 finalists on Tuesday ahead of the June 11-July 11 tournament.