17 seconds ago 2009-12-04T09:00:02-08:00
CAPE TOWN, South Africa – The government is trying to defuse a row between South African Tourism and FIFA's booking agent over the price of hotel rooms at the 2010 World Cup football competition.
South African Tourism on Monday pulled out of the advisory board of FIFA accommodation and ticketing partner, MATCH, accusing the company of bullying small hotel owners.
The official Bua newsagency says tourism chief Moeketsi Mosola told an annual conference that his announcement was prompted by numerous complaints from the hospitality industry about pressure from the FIFA agent to commit rooms at below-market prices.
The international football authority FIFA says it is surprised by the news.
MATCH has promised to secure pre-contracted 55,000 rooms for FIFA for the World Cup, but so far has only managed 35,000.
