World Cup 2010 in Jeopardy?

Holding a World Cup in South Africa has always been considered a quixotic idea.  Skeptics have wondered about safety issues and about the quality of infrastructure for nearly half-a-million fans expected to come for the tournament.  Most of those concerns were put to rest after last month’s successful test run with the Confederations Cup.  (Clamping down on the use of those “vuvuzela” trumpets is another matter…) But now, with less than 12 months to go before the kickoff to the Finals, South Africa faces a setback that could escalate into a major problem:  On Wednesday, about 70,000 construction workers lay down their tools after negotiations over their wages broke down. The workers are seeking a 13% raise; while the 2010 World Cup organizing committee is offering 10%.  At risk are six entirely new stadiums being built for the World Cup, including the tournament’s showpiece, the 94,000-seat Soccer City in Johannesburg.  Just this morning, police used a stun grenade to break up a group of strikers near Cape Town’s Green Point stadium. Despite the unrest, the organizing committee remains confident all construction for the event will be finished on time. Nevertheless, this is a situation that we will keep our eye on.

And who says South Africa doesn’t have any decent strikers?!