JOHANNESBURG South Africa will screen visitors to he country in a bid to bar soccer hooligans from entering the country during the FIFA World Cup, which the country hosts between June 11 and July 11 this year, a government official said last week. South Africas deputy Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba told The Zimbabwean On Sunday that the barring of soccer hooligans was one of the security measures the country would put in place to ensure that a peaceful environment prevails at stadiums during the worlds biggest soccer showpiece.
We have been given a list of the documented hooligans names by FIFA (world soccer governing body), which we will use to screen visitors who will be coming here for the World Cup, said Gigaba.
All those whose names fall in the list will not be allowed to enter the country because they are not welcome here. We want to make sure that this world cup becomes a very good family outing that is free from violence and soccer hooliganism.
Gigaba added that the country had also agreed with FIFA to ease entry requirements for soccer fans and journalists visiting the country specifically for the World Cup. We have introduced an event visa for those soccer fans coming to watch the World Cup, who will be allowed a free visa if they come from those countries that require visas, added the deputy minister.
Also, this applies to journalists who are coming here to cover the tournament but coming from such countries whose citizens require visas to enter South Africa. However, such people should prove that they are coming for the World Cup by producing their tickets or accreditation letters at our embassies and at the borders.
Post published in: Football