The World Cup 'has only benefited the rich'
13/07/2010
The World Cup in South Africa has only been of financial benefit to the rich of the nation and the big name sponsors who backed it, it has been claimed.
A blog on the Comment Factory by James McEnteer noted that in a bid to portray the country in a more positive light, many people living in shanty towns near the football grounds were moved on to other spots to hide them from people arriving from overseas for the event.
Reporter Robert Wilcox compared the new communities to concentration camps, said Mr McEnteer, and said that residents were "herded" to their new home - which was often far from their original dwelling or their place of work.
The blog noted that like Germany in 2006, South Africa hoped to make a profit by hosting the sporting event, but that the economic downturn and the long flights many had to take the reach the nation put paid to this plan.
"The lion's share of World Cup income will benefit sponsors and international media. Some owners of four star hotels and restaurants will no doubt reap benefits. Also profiting are the government officials who got kickbacks from the contractors awarded the construction contracts," said the blog.
Written by John Curtis.
Spain were eventual winners of this year's event, which came to an end last weekend (July 11th).
