South Africa handed extra World Cup cash 11/05/2010 |
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Fifa has admitted that South Africa was given an extra £67m to ensure it was ready to host the World Cup.
The governing body’s general secretary Jerome Valcke told BBC Sport that Fifa signed off the 25 per cent increase at an executive committee meeting in March.
He said the extra money was required to help organisers ensure team training camps were ready.
South Africa's organisational budget has now swelled from £282m to £349m. But Valcke insisted that Fifa's £2.1bn income from the tournament would more than cover the overall increase in its budget, which includes the South African allocation, from £733m to £800m.
"We know we had to add some money for the team base camps where some teams were unhappy about the level of the services or the level of the pitches," said Valcke.
"That's a cost Fifa took over to ensure that things were delivered on time."
Valcke defended the large sums of money made from the sale of television and sponsorship rights relating to the World Cup, pointing out that the organisation made no profit.
Any surplus is re-invested in development programmes or national associations around the world, he explained.
"The World Cup is the most beautiful football event, played every four years with the best teams of the world," added Valcke.
"It's a unique event, and that's why there is such interest. Yes, it's a lot of money – but we are not sitting on profit."
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