News

27-05-2010

World Cup al-Qaeda plot, 'bluff': FIFA

Press TV - The FIFA general secretary has denied a recent report about the possibility of an al-Qaeda terrorist attack during the 2010 World Cup games as the first national squad arrives in South Africa for the event.

Speaking to a group of journalists in South Africa, FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke said that following the detention of a Saudi army officer in Iraq for alleged involvement in a plot to target the cup, a string of investigations were conducted by the Interpol into the case.

Valcke went on to brush aside speculations about the possibility of any terrorist plots between June and July when World Cup matches would be held, describing the report published in recent weeks as a "bluff," a Press TV correspondent reported.

"There was an investigation launched by the Interpol and some other international police agencies. I got yesterday a report saying it was just a bluff and there was nothing concrete behind this threat," the FIFA official went on to say.

Meanwhile, the Australian national football team landed at Johannesburg International Airport on Wednesday as the first country to arrive in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup.

The Brazilian team is also expected to land at OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday, followed by Argentina and Denmark squads.

The FIFA World Cup is due to kick off on June 11.