more than just 80 minutes
Super 14
sarugby.com
S14 final date clash could cost SA
Tuesday, February 02
Submit
A potential clash between the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup and the final of the Super 14 competition could potentially cost a South African team home ground advantage.
A date clash between the final of the Super 14 and the start of the World Cup in South Africa is causing logistical problems as FIFA stipulate that no major sporting events take place in the host cities around the start of the tournament.
The final of the Super 14 takes place in May, before the scheduled start of the World Cup, but is still in jeopardy with SARU president Oregan Hoskins set for talks with World Cup organising committee chief Danny Jordaan on the issue.
"Danny Jordaan has asked for a meeting with me because I understand he has some reservations about the common use of stadiums and the logistics around that," The SARU president told The Times.
"I'm not entirely sure what he wants to discuss, but after the meeting we'll have more clarity.
"Looking through the correspondence in preparation for the meeting, I'm confident that we, as Saru, have not fallen foul of any regulations."
"I think that soccer is hoping to find a solution to what could be a logistical issue if one of our sides hosts the Super 14 final."
"Stadiums have to be clear of non-Fifa approved signage and they have to be set up for football matches, and there could be a clash with time frames. I get a sense that they need more time."
The Super 14 final is scheduled for May 29 with FIFA set to take control of the stadiums on May 25.
Should FIFA dig their heels on the issue it will mean the final would have to be moved to a city that is not a host city for the World Cup or outside of South Africa. All the major centres and stadiums in South Africa are linked to the World Cup - which would force the Super 14 final to be played outside of the country.
Newlands stadium in Cape Town is one possible venue with no World Cup games taking place at the ground, while Wembley in London is another possibility being investigated.
With thanks to the Times
Login / Register
user poll
Will the Boks win any of their upcoming home games?
Results Votes: 1918  |
Designed and Implemented by DigIT Solutions
All content supplied by SARugby.com
Photographs supplied by Gallo Images/Getty Images.
All logos and trademarks are the property of their respective owner.
The comments are property of their posters, all the rest © 2005 Fat Pig Productions CC The logos and trademarks used on this site are the property of their respective owners We are not responsible for comments posted by our users, as they are the property of the poster Advertise with SARugby.com | Legal Notices |
 |
It is in the Vrystaat on a farm near Hertzogville
I would go and see a final at Wembley... It would also mean a 24 hr+ flight for non-SA teams...
Would be a pitty IF this happens.Being at last years Final agaisnt the Ciefs was memroble experience. Any team and supporter deserves to have that chase.