Want to be World Cup host? We will take you hostage, says FIFA’s security chief

Doha: Any country which wants to host the World Cup needs to understand the sharp reality of what a partnership with FIFA means. That was the message just handed to Qatar 2022 and which might be useful – even at less than three years out – for Brazil 2014.

Brazilian politicians, even so late in the day, are still trying to talk the legal preparations to a standstill. But such resistance to FIFA’s command of its own event is to misunderstand the relationship between the state and the world football federation.

Chris Eaton, FIFA’s Australian head of security, set out the parameters during a forum at the Aspire4Sport conference in Doha.

He said: “Thee months before a World Cup FIFA descends in earnest and your country is held hostage by FIFA for five months . . . but it’s your choice to host a World Cup and that is what comes with the hosting.”

Eaton also noted that the demands of a World Cup often come as a surprise to host nations and it was essential for a country to make as much use as possible of the Confederations Cup warm-up a year earlier.

He said: “Brazil should be planning not for 2014 but for 2013. Qatar is not planning for 2022 but 2021 because the first major event is the year before which is where all the wrinkles are ironed out.”

Safety and security

One of the essential factors was safety and security and FIFA’s policy of wanting to rely on stewards not on police to maintain a peaceful ambience within a stadium.

Eaton said: “It is about high capability and low visibility. That’s why we encourage stewards rather than police in the stadia. In Brazil you see police in the grounds armed to the teeth and this is not what FIFA likes or wants or looks good for the country on TV.

“This is an issue which I expect to play out right to the end.”

Eaton expected that debate over various hosting issues means that country and organisers would be “engaged in fisticuffs in the media over the next two years.”

One other issue concerning Eaton about preparations for a World Cup – with 2014 just around the corner – centred on standards of sponsor hospitality.

He said: “In South Africa in 2010 a lot of sponsors were severely disappointed by the quality of the hospitality and private security. So security training should extend to general security at hotels and hospitality sites for the major sponsors who invest an enormous amount in your country.

“For example, Visa intends to bring in 100,000 guests to Brazil. A host nation owes it to them – in Brazil for example – to provide private security who are prepared and capable and not last-minute and incapable.