Maradona happy with World Cup security

Argentina coach Diego Maradona on Thursday said he had no fears over World Cup security despite South Africa’s gruesome average of 50 murders a day.

“They can say what they want but we know we are coming to play the World Cup in a safe country. I have seen that with my own eyes,” Maradona said.

“This will be a great World Cup with no doubts of security. I will tell my players that they only have to think of playing football when they come here and worry about nothing else.”

World Cup organisers have repeatedly stressed that South Africa will host a safe tournament despite concerns about the high crime rates.

Maradona, who inspected the Soccer City stadium which will host the opening and final matches, said people should not be “afraid”.

“I have spent a week in South Africa and everything is very good and the people very friendly,” he said.

He arrived in South Africa on Monday, days after the end of his two-month suspension from all football activities for his sexually explicit rant at journalists.