England fans 'virtually certain' to die in South Africa

Aye, we got some tickets for games in Jo'burg and Cape Town, also guaranteed tickets for all England games. It just seems ridiculous that Fifa are happy to press ahead with SA despite the grave security concerns. Definitely not looking to base ourselves in Jo'burg for the tournament.
 
Nickg said:
why do they host events in countries like this when there are so many good countries out there to host instead?

why reward the corrupt?
Click to expand...

After visiting to place for the first time for the Lions tour all I can say is that it's a fantastic country and with great people and amazing scenery and cultre. Don't let the press put you off, you'll be fine.
 
Furton said:
After visiting to place for the first time for the Lions tour all I can say is that it's a fantastic country and with great people and amazing scenery and cultre. Don't let the press put you off, you'll be fine.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I guess a lot of it is press sensationalism. Looking forward to doing some safari and spending time in some amazing places. I guess it's just a case of being vigilant and planning ahead.

For the Lions, did you base yourselves in one place and fly out from there for games, or did you have accommodation at each city? The problem we have is that venues for England are unknown until December 4th when the draw is made. I think we might just book 3 weeks at an apartment in Durban and just do flights to/from there for the games. Budgeting £4k for 3 weeks.
 
It's just manipulating stats to get a story. Just because (I'm making figures up here btw) the homicide rate is something like 1 in 100,000 people this doesn't mean that 1 England fan will die if 100,000 travel over.

There's so many factors to take into account: the fact that there will be increased security, more people around even at night time, fans won't be hanging round the townships and won't always be in the most dangerous cities.

Keep you're wits about you and you'll have a good time.
 
I spoke to a south african who I met on holiday about this and he said people would definitely be killed and the whole thing was a bad idea really. I hope it's all fine and nothing happens but with all those people, something probably will.
 
The same can be said though of Turkish teams being allowed in competitions despite numerous stabbings by fans
 
h00fzilla said:
Well, I booked my flights for South Africa on Friday; going out for 18th June - 12th July. However, despite being slightly nervous about security, this has made me a little more anxious!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...virtually-certain-to-die-in-South-Africa.html
Click to expand...

Been to a West Ham Millwall game lately?
Something like that can happen in what is supposedly one of the most Civil/first world places...then im sure the statistics can be represented to support their story.
 
bibalasvegas said:
I spoke to a south african who I met on holiday about this and he said people would definitely be killed and the whole thing was a bad idea really. I hope it's all fine and nothing happens but with all those people, something probably will.
Click to expand...

If you were a south african meeting english people on holiday, wouldn't you be doing you best to put of English people coming to your country :p


Seriously though, murder rates don't take into account whose murdered. Theres a high murder rate in say, LA, but a large portion of the murders are gang members killing other gang members, the murder rate amongst "innocent" people is far far lower and I'd imagine the exact same situation in South Africa. Stay out of the worst parts of the worst towns, don't walk around with a wad of cash being waved around while trying to find some weed/coke and you'll be fine, much as you would be anywhere else on earth unless you act like a tool and go somewhere stupid.

I'm happy to go to the states, have been, but I wouldn't walk around Compton late at night, theres plenty of places I wouldn't hang around in England at night, common sense = increased safety no matter where you are in the world.

I also find it laughable anyone could question how the World Cup could be held there, rewarding the corrupt, lol, the UK's got no hint of corruption anywhere has it :rolleyes:

EDIT:- I'd also be surprised if at least one England fan wasn't killed, but I'd fail to be surprised when it turned out to be a rival football teams fan rather than a South African trying to mug someone.
 
Last edited:
I don't think there is any bigger threat in SA than anywhere else. Been there twice now, and both times haven't had a single problem.
 
It's a bit like saying there'd be problems with a World Cup over here because Brixton, Moss Side, Toxteth et al are all "near" tournament stadia really, isn't it?
 
Supercow said:
Been to a West Ham Millwall game lately?
Something like that can happen in what is supposedly one of the most Civil/first world places...then im sure the statistics can be represented to support their story.
Click to expand...

Well, I'm not concerned about violence at the matches - I don't think there'll be any trouble in and around the games themselves - just the rest of the time. However, like mentioned, I guess it's just a case of being aware and sensible.
 
Visionary said:
It's just manipulating stats to get a story. Just because (I'm making figures up here btw) the homicide rate is something like 1 in 100,000 people this doesn't mean that 1 England fan will die if 100,000 travel over.
Click to expand...

The latest figure they have for the homicide rate is 38 per 100,000 people, and this figure has continued to drop over the years, and the majority of homicides occurs in the poorer townships and amongst the poverty stricken, pretty much like the rest of the 'developing' world.

If you go to areas you're not meant to you'll find trouble or trouble will find you, stay to the beaten track and the chances of you being killed will be significantly reduced.

Its great to see the World Cup in Africa for the first time, it is a world event after all.

Edit: SA isn't so much a developing country as a Newly Industrialised Country (NIC) :p
 
Last edited:
Weebull said:
It's a bit like saying there'd be problems with a World Cup over here because Brixton, Moss Side, Toxteth et al are all "near" tournament stadia really, isn't it?
Click to expand...

no. its not at all... the areas you mention have a few hoodlums and some small time gangs in there.. small fry...

SA is a completely different proposition of shanty towns, genuine hardship. its a different way of life a different mentality.

i work with ppl from jberg and other places in SA they do not recommend to go near these areas and all predict trouble for the world cup.
 
h00fzilla said:
Yeah, I guess a lot of it is press sensationalism. Looking forward to doing some safari and spending time in some amazing places. I guess it's just a case of being vigilant and planning ahead.

For the Lions, did you base yourselves in one place and fly out from there for games, or did you have accommodation at each city? The problem we have is that venues for England are unknown until December 4th when the draw is made. I think we might just book 3 weeks at an apartment in Durban and just do flights to/from there for the games. Budgeting £4k for 3 weeks.
Click to expand...

Accomodation for each city, much easier to do than the world cup as dates were annonced. Just wait for dates to be announced and book ASAP.

As long as you stay in the right areas and don't act like an english chav, you'll be fine. The locals are really welcoming and have great banter. Avoid Castle beer, it's horrid, there's some all natural beer imported from another African country (can't remember the name, green label though), lovely stuff! :cool:

Whatever you do, ensure you go to Cape Town, just a fantastic city!
 
While I agree that the media is sensationalising this, I do think there will be plenty of crime. It's one thing to say 'Well, you are fine if you avoid the bad areas', but then bare in mind that the country is going to have an influx of thousands of tourists, clueless as to how the country works or where is safe which make easy pickings for criminals who will see them as easy targets.
 
Nexus said:
While I agree that the media is sensationalising this, I do think there will be plenty of crime. It's one thing to say 'Well, you are fine if you avoid the bad areas', but then bare in mind that the country is going to have an influx of thousands of tourists, clueless as to how the country works or where is safe which make easy pickings for criminals who will see them as easy targets.
Click to expand...

Well you could say that about any country outside of the 'normal safe zones' (Western Europe, Japan/S Korea, North America, Australasia), does that mean we should only have World Cups in these areas for safety reasons? Brazil hosts in 2014, can we say anything bad that happens during the World Cup in SA will happen again in Brazil?

I think if you are flying to a country like SA its on your head to do some basic research, find out the good/bad places to stay/eat/drink, organise your modes of transport before leaving for the World Cup, and find out on the police website on how not to make yourself open to becoming a victim of crime. Supporters who go to SA without doing any of the above will get into trouble and danger and lot more frequently than those who do.

You need to be clued up when going abroad.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom