Blatter confident on World Cup security

FIFA president Joseph Blatter expressed his total confidence Friday in security measures for the 2010 World Cup.

Blatter spoke after a two-day workshop that included World Cup organizing chief Danny Jordaan, team security and police representatives from 29 of the 32 nations playing in the tournament.

“Obviously we’re confident, otherwise we wouldn’t have taken the decision to allow South Africa to host the World Cup,” said Blatter.

“South Africa proved last year during the Confederations Cup that their security measures worked. If it worked for the dress rehearsal why wouldn’t it work for the real show.”

South African police chief Bhekokwakhe Cele was beside Blatter to detail security plans for the tournament in June and July, where as in previous World Cups local police will be reinforced by police from participating countries.

“South Africa will employ 188,000 people in their security forces,” explained Cele, “44,000 will be deployed directly at World Cup sites and all the others will be involved in security throughout the country.

“The fans will not be confined to match venues, they’re coming to enjoy the rest of South Africa.”