England’s World Cup Base: Not Half as Bad as The Sun Would Have You Believe

February 24th, 2010 | by: Daryl |

So apparently England’s World Cup 2010 base, the Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus in Rustenburg, South Africa still needs a little work. Sort of. As I understand it, there are certain projects going on at Royal Bafokeng that won’t be completed until 2013. These projects have little to no impact on England’s stay in June and (hopefully) July, but that hasn’t prevented tabloids going wild with apocalyptic stories. Perhaps predictably, The Sun have dubbed Royal Bafokeng “a builder’s yard” that “won’t be ready until 2013.”

However, I trust Fabio Capello infinitely more than I trust The Sun. Here’s what the England boss had to say in this Times story about Royal Bafokeng:

“I’m really happy. We checked everything and it improved a lot from the last time we stayed here. The pitches are good and will be better for June. The hotel is really, really nice and the medical centre will be ready in two months. I’m really, really happy because it’s the third time I’ve stayed here and the facilities are fantastic.”

If he’s happy, then I’m happy. But seems tabloids like The Sun are only happy when they’re making mountains out of molehills, helping England’s World Cup chances not one bit by spreading panic and pessimism in order to sell newspapers.

Here’s a quick look at the Royal Bafokeng complex, via a Sky News piece:

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http://www.bestworldcupbets.co.uk Dave

We would not put up with sub standard accomodation or anyhting else, and I dont believe that any host country would let a guest team stay in unfit settings.

The Sun and the other tabloids are just looking for stories they can use as an excuse at a later date if they need to
http://www.bestworldcupbets.co.uk/ Andy

Re Dave: You would hope so, but didn’t Roy Keane through his doll out of the pram over the EIRE facilities…..amongst other things, during the 2002 world cup?
http://www.bestworldcupbets.co.uk Dave

@Andy… no idea mate, that was 8 yrs ago…. you need to get out more if you can remember what happened 8 yrs ago (unless your Roy Keane)
http://www.bestworldcupbets.co.uk/ Andy

@Dave…you know me mate….mind of useless cr@p
Rob

I’m with Daryl – if Fabio’s happy, I’m happy.
http://littlemissdiana.blogpsot.com diana

Same here, Rob. England can count themselves lucky because the host nation South Africa themselves have to make a last-minute switch in terms of where they will be based for the tournament. How about that?
Stan

I have the honour and priviledge of being part of the Engineering team involved with the construction of the Royal Bafokeng Sports Complex.
There is no doubt in my mind that the complex will be ready in time.
Of all the world cup teams, including the host nation, England have by far the best base camp.
Their performance in the world cup will bare testimony of it.
http://www.nealcollins.co.uk/blog Neal Collins

The Royal Marang hotel and surrounding complex is the BEST of the training camps in South Africa… England got the pick of the bunch. It will be ready, as Stan says above. See also: http://www.nealcollins.co.uk/south-africa-world-cup/england-football-training-camp.html