[A suggestion from a reader. Jan]

I would suggest that it is the responsibility of FIFA to fully test a public transport system of a host country at least 3 years in advance. A failed or inadequate public transport system cannot be rectified in less than 3 years. What do we consider a satisfactory public transport system? It is a system that can take you anyplace in country on time and in a safe manner. If the fans use a public transport system and miss a game or are injured due to public transport should the host country or FIFA be held liable? If FIFA did not adequately test the public transport system I would suggest that FIFA be held liable. If a host country can only provide a plan at the 3 year mark, then FIFA should consider the alternative host country. In order to be fair then should rules that apply to any proposed host country.

The rules:
1. FIFA sends 5 couples to various parts of a country where there is to be an event.
2. The volunteers have to rotate locations or provinces every week.
3. They are not allowed to use a hire car.
4. They are not allowed to use limousines, private taxis or hotel transport.
5. They have to use public transport at least twice a day.
6. They have to get to certain locations by a specific time.
7. They can only rely on public information systems to get where they want to go.
8. The volunteers have to carry a camera, mobile phone and a wallet.
9. They have to attend a football match at least once a week.
10. The days itinerary is only given to the volunteers at midnight.
11. The volunteers have to be foreign to the country.
12. The volunteers used are not allowed to declare their role to anyone.

The objective is not to make it easy but rather difficult to test the system. The host country is notified that this will happen but further than that they are given no more details until a report based on the findings of these volunteers are presented to FIFA and the host country.

In order for the host country to be finally awarded the games the results need to show that at least 90% of all travels were on time and seamless. There has to be a 95% incident free situation whereby there were no muggings, accidents or worse. Did the volunteers feel safe at all times?

If this were to take place in South Africa what do you think will be the outcome?

DC, USA

VERENA Replied:
I think you know full well what will happen, these poor couples will be robbed, mugged, hijacked, etc. etc. But I wish, I WISH, that FIFA moves the world cup to whereever – I think Australia is the other options. SA does not have the money to provide housing and health care, but wants to spend millions on stadiums – what a frikkin joke!