Feral Jundi

   Hopefully this isn’t a sign of things to come for the World Cup.  I know a few readers are involved with the private side of security for this event in South Africa, and I wish you guys all the best. –Matt

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Police escort Ivory Coast’s soccer team from Angola on Saturday. 

Togo Deaths Stir Fear Ahead of World Cup

January 11, 2010

By BENOIT FAUCON in London and PETER WONACOTT in Johannesburg

A rebel attack in Angola that killed members of a visiting soccer squad has led to a hunt for separatists in an oil-rich region of the country, and stirred concerns about security at this summer’s World Cup in South Africa.

The Togo team was traveling Friday in a bus ahead of a match when it came under machine-gun fire. The attack occurred in Angola’s tiny enclave of Cabinda, stuck between the two Congos — the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The rebel ambush killed at least two Togolese, a coach and the team’s press attaché, according to Togo’s government. On Sunday, it sent a plane to collect its national team.

The shooting has created a tense backdrop for what was supposed to be a showcase for African soccer and Angola’s oil-powered economy. The attack also sent shivers through the global soccer community as the World Cup arrives for the first time in June to a continent that has been rife with armed conflict and burdened by corrupt governments.

On Sunday, South African President Jacob Zuma, traveling to Angola, extended his condolences to the Angolan government and the people of Togo. But the president dismissed speculation the incident “had any bearing” on his country hosting the World Cup, according to a statement from his office. “South Africa remains one hundred percent ready to host the FIFA World Cup,” the president’s statement said.

Meanwhile, the Angolan government said it was looking for suspects in the attack. The attackers had come from the Republic of Congo, it said, and fled back across the border.

A spokesman for the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda, which claimed responsibility for the attack, warned it was “only a prelude to a series of targeted operations” against Angolan security forces. The group, known as Flec, has been seeking independence from Angola for more than 30 years. A rebel leader said Flec had targeted Angolan forces and mistakenly killed members of the Togolese squad. “We are saying sorry to the Togolese,” Flec’s president and co-founder, Nzita Tiago, said in an interview.

FIFA expressed its continued support for the World Cup hosts after the attack in Togo. “The continent will soon play host to the FIFA World Cup for the very first time, as is its due,” said FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter. “I have faith in Africa.”

Story here.

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Teams hire warzone guards from Iraq

December 07 2009

Many of the nations taking part in the World Cup will use private security firms – including war-zone specialists who operate in Iraq and Afghanistan – to safeguard their players and officials.Sources in the private protection industry have said that high-profile football associations from Europe and South America have already hired firms that will use ex-military personnel, some of them special forces veterans, to look after players and their families. The firms will provide round-the-clock armed bodyguards, bulletproof vehicles, hijack prevention advice and squads that can handle kidnap situations. Kidnap insurance is also offered by some agencies.The revelations come amid fears there could be “gaps in the coverage” provided by the organisers. A number of football associations from around the world and senior figures in international administrative circles have concerns sparked by lapses at last summer’s Confederations Cup, which was effectively a small-scale test event for 2010.

“There was no single major mishap, but some worrying gaps were noted, suggesting there won’t be enough properly trained security at every place they’ll be required,” one source said. “Security contracts weren’t in place until very late, some players had property stolen from hotels, and some fans were victims of crime.

‘There was no single major mishap, but some worrying gaps were noted’

“And at the Confederations Cup there were just eight teams, playing in four stadiums, three of which were within (112km) of each other. The World Cup is in a whole different league, with 32 teams, 10 stadiums in nine cities across more than a thousand miles, and millions of fans, hundreds of thousands from overseas.”

Another source said: “South Africa has a fantastic reputation for sports events. It has staged the Rugby World Cup, Lions tours, and major international cricket – but its infrastructure is under pressure. Booking rooms and internal flights is already a struggle, and the security is just as susceptible.”

Fifa said it was satisfied the South African authorities had done all they could to secure the safety of players, officials and fans.

Story here.